Sulforaphane Glucosinolate Monograph

Introduction Intake of broccoli sprouts, a rich source of the glucosinolate glucoraphanin, has been associated with decreased incidence, multiplicity, and tumor growth in animal cancer models.1-3 In 1992, Paul Talalay, MD, and colleagues at Johns Hopkins University identified the isothiocyanate, sulforaphane, a biologically active metabolite of glucoraphanin, as the compound in broccoli responsible for many of its health benefits.4 Since that time, more than 500 studies have been conducted on the mechanisms and biological activity of sulforaphane and its precursor, glucoraphanin.5 Glucoraphanin, also referred to as sulforaphane glucosinolate (SGS), is the most potent naturally-occurring inducer of phase 2 detoxification enzymes4,6 and is an indirect, long-acting antioxidant.7-9 Sulforaphane also exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against numerous grampositive and -negative bacteria,10 most notably Helicobacter pylori.11 In addition, sulforaphane possesses anti-inflammatory activity; it inhibits cytokine production in preclinical and clinical studies.12-14 Sulforaphane’s multiple molecular targets and promising early research have led to 15 clinical trials currently underway to assess its effects on various cancers, cardiovascular disease, upper airway inflammation, radiation dermatitis, and vascular health.15