🧬 Molecular Mechanisms of Sulforaphane in Cancer Prevention and Therapy

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.