Sulforaphane Research
47 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 7.5/10
Broccoli Consumption and Risk of Cancer: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies
Baladia E et al. • Nutrients (2024)
In summary, the findings indicate that individuals suffering from some type of cancer consumed less broccoli, suggesting a protective biological effect of broccoli on cancer.
- In summary, the findings indicate that individuals suffering from some type of cancer consumed less broccoli, suggesting a protective biological effect of broccoli on cancer.
- More studies, especially cohort studies, are necessary to clarify the possible beneficial effect of broccoli on several types of cancer.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Pharmacological and dietary-supplement treatments for autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Siafis S et al. • Molecular autism (2022)
Some medications could improve core symptoms, although this could be likely secondary to the improvement of associated symptoms.
- Some medications could improve core symptoms, although this could be likely secondary to the improvement of associated symptoms.
- Evidence on their efficacy and safety is preliminary; therefore, routine prescription of medications for the core symptoms cannot be recommended.
- Trial registration PROSPERO-ID CRD42019125317.
The pediatric psychopharmacology of autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review - Part II: The future
Persico AM et al. • Progress in neuro-psychopharmacology & biological psychiatry (2025)
Published by Elsevier Inc.
- However, a small subset of compounds, including N-acetylcysteine, folinic acid, l-carnitine, coenzyme Q10, sulforaphane, and metformin may already be considered, with due caution, for clinical use, because there is promising evidence of efficacy and a high safety profile.
- For several other compounds, such as secretin, efficacy can be confidently excluded, and/or the data discourage undertaking new RCTs.
- Published by Elsevier Inc.
A Systematic Review of Food-Derived DNA Methyltransferase Modulators: Mechanistic Insights and Perspectives for Healthy Aging
Campisi M et al. • Advances in nutrition (Bethesda, Md.) (2025)
All rights reserved.
- Notably, nearly 90% of studies reported DNMT inhibition-often dose- and time-dependent.
- Approximately 21% defined minimal effective concentrations, predominantly for isolated compounds.
- Further well-designed clinical trials are warranted to assess long-term efficacy, safety, and bioavailability of these compounds and to validate their use in personalized epigenetic interventions using biological aging markers.
Investigating the clinical efficacy, safety and molecular mechanism of sulforaphane in autism spectrum disorder: an integrated study combining meta-analysis, network pharmacology, and computational biology
Long J et al. • BMC pharmacology & toxicology (2025)
Sulforaphane may serve as an efficacious and safe adjunctive therapy for ASD, mediated by its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects along with the modulation of autophagy.
- Pooled results demonstrated that both 4-5 weeks and 8-10 weeks of sulforaphane supplementation significantly decreased the scores on the Social Responsiveness Scale compared to placebo controls.
- Sulforaphane may serve as an efficacious and safe adjunctive therapy for ASD, mediated by its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects along with the modulation of autophagy.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Sulforaphane exhibits potent renoprotective effects in preclinical models of kidney diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Monteiro EB et al. • Life sciences (2023)
These findings provide new insights concerning preclinical strategies for treating kidney disease or kidney failure with SFN supplements and should stimulate interest in clinical evaluations of SFN in patients with kidney disease.
- Meta-analysis examining Sulforaphane efficacy
- Published in Life sciences (2023)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Efficacy and safety of sulforaphane in schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Kassar O et al. • BMC psychiatry (2025)
The study provides initial insights into sulforaphane's potential therapeutic effects in schizophrenia, showing modest improvements in general psychopathology and negative symptoms, with favorable metabolic changes and lower discontinuation rates.
- Sulforaphane did not significantly improve PANSS total or positive symptom scores at the latest follow-up (ranging from 24 weeks to 18 weeks) or at a consistent 12-week time point.
- However, a modest improvement in negative symptoms was found at 12 week- time point (MD= -1.06; 95% CI: -1.95 to -0.16; p = 0.02), which was not maintained at the latest follow-up.
- General psychopathology scores improved significantly (MD= -1.5; 95% CI: -2.78 to -0.23; p = 0.02).
Effects of sulforaphane on ABC and SRS scales in patients with autism spectrum disorder: a meta-analysis
Guo J et al. • Brain & development (2025)
All rights reserved.
- The results of this meta-analysis showed that sulforaphane significantly improved irritability and hyperactivity symptoms, suggesting that sulforaphane has the potential for the combined treatment of autism.
- Review Manager 5.3 software was used to conduct this meta-analysis.
- Additional studies are needed to confirm and explore the effect of sulforaphane.Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V.
Potential Effects of Bioactive Compounds of Plant-Based Foods and Medicinal Plants in Chronic Kidney Disease and Dialysis: A Systematic Review
Josa E et al. • Nutrients (2024)
These results suggest that bioactive compounds of plant-based foods and medicinal plants have promising effects in terms of preventing or treating CKD progression and appear to improve inflammation and antioxidant capacity and support cardiovascular benefits and renoprotective effects; however, it is recommended that further studies be carried out.
- Systematic review examining Astragalus efficacy
- Published in Nutrients (2024)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Do Brassica Vegetables Affect Thyroid Function?-A Comprehensive Systematic Review
Galanty A et al. • International journal of molecular sciences (2024)
Instead, they indicate that including brassica vegetables in the daily diet, particularly when accompanied by adequate iodine intake, poses no adverse effects on thyroid function.
- We analyzed the results of 123 articles of in vitro, animal, and human studies, describing the impact of brassica plants and extracts on thyroid mass and histology, blood levels of TSH, T3, T4, iodine uptake, and the effect on thyroid cancer cells.
- We also presented the mechanisms of the goitrogenic potential of GLSs and ITCs, the limitations of the studies included, as well as further research directions.
- The vast majority of the results cast doubt on previous assumptions claiming that brassica plants have antithyroid effects in humans.
Protective effects of sulforaphane against toxic substances and contaminants: A systematic review
Cascajosa-Lira A et al. • Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (2024)
SFN has potential clinical applications as a chemoprotective agent.
- SFN has potential clinical applications as a chemoprotective agent.
- Nevertheless, more studies are necessary to set the safe doses of SFN in humans.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Efficacy of sulforaphane in skin cancer animal models: A systematic review
Masoom M et al. • Polimery w medycynie (2024)
If its effectiveness is substantiated, SFN could complement or offer an alternative to existing preventive measures against skin cancer.
- Projections suggest a surge exceeding 50% in melanoma occurrences by 2040, underscoring the urgency for preventive interventions.
- Furthermore, SFN showed preventive effects against UVB-induced skin carcinogenesis by obstructing the activator protein 1 signaling pathway.
- Based on evidence from animal-based research, SFN emerges as a promising chemopreventive substance against skin cancer.
Dietary supplementations to mitigate the cardiopulmonary effects of air pollution toxicity: A systematic review of clinical trials
Ilaghi M et al. • PloS one (2024)
Although more research is needed to determine the efficacy and optimal dose of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant dietary supplements against air pollution toxicity, this low-cost preventative strategy has the potential to offer protection against outcomes of air pollution exposure.
- Although more research is needed to determine the efficacy and optimal dose of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant dietary supplements against air pollution toxicity, this low-cost preventative strategy has the potential to offer protection against outcomes of air pollution exposure.
- Published in PloS one (2024)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Protective Effect of Isothiocyanates from Cruciferous Vegetables on Breast Cancer: Epidemiological and Preclinical Perspectives
Ngo SNT et al. • Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry (2021)
Current preclinical evidence strongly supports the role of sulforaphane and other ITCs as potential therapeutic agents for breast cancer, either as adjunct therapy or combined therapy with current anti-breast cancer drugs, with sulforaphane displaying the greatest potential.
- Current preclinical evidence strongly supports the role of sulforaphane and other ITCs as potential therapeutic agents for breast cancer, either as adjunct therapy or combined therapy with current anti-breast cancer drugs, with sulforaphane displaying the greatest potential.
- Published in Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry (2021)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Recent Updates in Imperative Natural Compounds for Healthy Brain and Nerve Function: A Systematic Review of Implications for Multiple Sclerosis
Sanadgol N et al. • Current drug targets (2017)
Further studies with a focus on the molecular mechanisms of the protective natural compounds are needed to decrease possible side effects and to develop new medicines for MS.
- Further studies with a focus on the molecular mechanisms of the protective natural compounds are needed to decrease possible side effects and to develop new medicines for MS.
- Apigenin, chrysin, baicalein, cyanidin, flavone glycoside, daidzein, coumestrol, sulforaphane, bee venom and huperzine A are the candidates for more prospective investigations.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Chemoprevention of Breast Cancer With Vitamins and Micronutrients: A Concise Review
Mokbel K et al. • In vivo (Athens, Greece) (2019)
Delinasios), All rights reserved.
- Therefore, a supplement that contains these micronutrients, using the safest form and dosage should be investigated in future breast cancer chemoprevention studies and as part of standard breast cancer therapy.Copyright© 2019, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr.
- Delinasios), All rights reserved.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
In vitro Biological Effects of Sulforaphane (SFN), Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), and Curcumin on Breast Cancer Cells: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Gianfredi V et al. • Nutrition and cancer (2017)
We here systematically review information on the effects of such bioactive dietary compounds on human breast cancer cell lines, and explore the mechanisms underlying those effects with a view to their potential therapeutic application.
- Because malignant changes arise as a result of genetic as well as epigenetic mechanisms, one possible means of intervention involves reprogramming gene expression, so as to-at least in part-revert the molecular alterations.
- DNA methylation and demethylation, acetylation and deacetylation of histones, and microRNAs are a few examples of the epigenetic mechanisms responsible for tumor development and progression.
- Many biologically active compounds present in food-including sulforaphane, curcumin, and epigallocatechin-have been found to modulate those processes.
Sulforaphane and Epigallocatechin Gallate Restore Estrogen Receptor Expression by Modulating Epigenetic Events in the Breast Cancer Cell Line MDA-MB-231: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Gianfredi V et al. • Journal of nutrigenetics and nutrigenomics (2017)
The findings suggest beneficial effects of dietary bioactive compounds such as SFN and EGCG and their effect on BC cells by restoring estrogen receptor gene expression, modulating epigenetic changes and events, and interfering with tumor growth rate.
- We identified 7 studies, 4 regarding the effect of 10 µM SFN on MDA-MB-231 cells (ES = 4.59, 95% confidence interval 4.05-5.20) and 3 focusing on the impact of 20 µM EGCG (ES = 2.84, 95% confidence interval 2.60-3.10).
- The findings suggest beneficial effects of dietary bioactive compounds such as SFN and EGCG and their effect on BC cells by restoring estrogen receptor gene expression, modulating epigenetic changes and events, and interfering with tumor growth rate.
- Publication bias limits the generalizability of the conclusions.
Efficacy of some non-conventional herbal medications (sulforaphane, tanshinone IIA, and tetramethylpyrazine) in inducing neuroprotection in comparison with interleukin-10 after spinal cord injury: A meta-analysis
Koushki D et al. • The journal of spinal cord medicine (2015)
IL-10 has a strong effect in the induction of neuroprotection and neurorecovery after SCI by multiple pathways.
- IL-10 has a strong effect in the induction of neuroprotection and neurorecovery after SCI by multiple pathways.
- Tetramethylpyrazine has an acceptable influence in reducing inflammation through the up-regulation of IL-10.
- Outcomes of sulforaphane and tanshinone IIA administration are acceptable but still weaker than IL-10.
Clinical and molecular evidence of the consumption of broccoli, glucoraphanin and sulforaphane in humans
Conzatti A et al. • Nutricion hospitalaria (2014)
Although being relevant, the evidence for the use of broccoli, GRA and SFN in humans are limited; thus, further intervention studies are needed to evaluate outcomes more consistently and reach better grounded conclusions.
- Although being relevant, the evidence for the use of broccoli, GRA and SFN in humans are limited; thus, further intervention studies are needed to evaluate outcomes more consistently and reach better grounded conclusions.
- Published in Nutricion hospitalaria (2014)
- Further research warranted to confirm findings