Abstract
- Background
Sulforaphane (SFN), a prominent bioactive isothiocyanate derived from glucoraphanin found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, has been extensively investigated for its broad therapeutic potential across diverse human disease categories. Mechanistically, SFN exerts its biological effects through well-characterized pathways, including the activation of the Keap1/Nrf2 axis to regulate phase II detoxification enzymes and antioxidant defense systems, alongside epigenetic modulation such as histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition. This review evaluates clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov, focusing specifically on interventions utilizing pure SFN or standardized broccoli-derived extracts.
- Methods
A comprehensive systematic evaluation of clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov involving sulforaphane or broccoli-derived extracts was conducted. Trial characteristics, participant populations, intervention protocols, and published outcomes were systematically identified, cross-referenced, and analyzed to assess the translational clinical landscape of SFN.
- Results
Out of 84 identified registered trials, 39 have been successfully published. Published findings indicate SFN's clinical potential in regulating cellular redox and inflammatory pathways, improving metabolic and cardiovascular outcomes, and exerting anti-cancer and neuroprotective effects. In healthy subjects, SFN supplementation enhanced detoxification capacity and reduced systemic inflammation. Among cancer patients, SFN demonstrated therapeutic promise in early-stage prostate and breast cancers—particularly in GSTM1-positive individuals—while showing limited efficacy in advanced cases. For neurological and psychiatric conditions, SFN yielded symptomatic improvements in autism spectrum disorder and cognitive benefits in schizophrenia, though often lacking robust biomarker integration. Conversely, SFN exhibited minimal clinical impact on respiratory diseases, though it provided supportive therapeutic roles in allergic rhinitis management. In metabolic disease investigations, SFN improved glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus but failed to confer significant benefits for hypertension. Furthermore, approximately 50% of completed clinical trials remain unpublished, raising valid concerns regarding potential publication bias. While currently published data underscore SFN's therapeutic promise, limited sample sizes and inconsistent trial outcomes highlight the critical need for larger, highly stratified clinical studies.
- Conclusions
Sulforaphane possesses substantial therapeutic potential, emphasizing the necessity of integrating mechanistic insights and precision medicine frameworks to maximize its clinical utility in modern healthcare.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12451241/