Source: Molecular Medicine, 2024
Paper Title: Sulforaphane as a Chemopreventive and Therapeutic Agent: Molecular Mechanisms and Perspectives
📌 Summary
Sulforaphane, a natural compound found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, has been shown to inhibit cancer initiation and progression through multiple molecular mechanisms.
Main mechanisms include:
✅ Induction of Detoxifying Enzymes (Nrf2/ARE Pathway)
→ Promotes expression of antioxidant and Phase II detoxification enzymes.
✅ Induction of Apoptosis
→ Triggers cell cycle arrest and programmed cell death (apoptosis).
✅ Inhibition of Cancer Stem Cells
→ Suppresses tumor recurrence and metastasis.
✅ Anti-inflammatory Effects
→ Reduces inflammatory cytokines by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway.
✅ Epigenetic Regulation
→ Inhibits histone deacetylase (HDAC), leading to beneficial gene expression changes.