Broccoli Sprouts
Videos
How to Grow:
USES
- Cancer prevention
- Cancer treatment
- Bacterial Infections
Clinical Summary
Broccoli sprouts are young broccoli plants that are rich in glucoraphanin, a precursor of sulforaphane. In vitro studies suggest that sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate, has anticancer effects against prostate, breast , and urinary cancers. It may also protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation. Preliminary studies to further evaluate these effects are currently being conducted in humans.
Consumption of broccoli sprouts was found to help reduce Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis , and protect against oxidative stress-induced upper airway disease and DNA damage. Glucoraphanin extracted from broccoli sprouts may play a role in the excretion of environmental toxicants . Supplementation with broccoli sprouts may enhance antiviral responses . Further research is warranted.
A broccoli sprout extract was shown to be safe and well tolerated in healthy volunteers . In patients with prior melanoma, a preliminary study of oral broccoli sprout extract also determined it was well tolerated, but efficacy studies to evaluate its chemopreventive potential are needed.
Mechanism of Action
Sulforaphane, the isothiocyanate present in broccoli sprouts, has been shown to block the initiation stage in carcinogenesis by inhibiting enzymes that convert procarcinogens to carcinogens, and inducing phase 2 enzymes that metabolize carcinogens to facilitate excretion. Induction of phase 2 enzymes occurs through antioxidant response element-driven gene expression, with targets including NAD(P)H:quinone reductase, heme oxygenase 1, and gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase regulated by nuclear factor E2 related factor . Sulforaphane also suppresses cancer development through various molecular targets. It induces G2/M cell cycle arrest via cyclin-dependent kinases and triggers dose-dependent apoptosis. Sulforaphane also inhibits histone deacetylase by its metabolites in vitro .
In a small study, broccoli sprout homogenates enhanced antiviral defense responses via peripheral blood NK cell activation and increased granzyme B production.
Articles/Studies
- Safety Study: Brocolli sprouts (sulforaphane) are safe, tolerable and do not adversely effect thyroid hormone levels.
- Broccoli sprout beverage is safe for thyroid hormonal and autoimmune status.
- Broccoli sprouts treatment with selenium increased the myrosinase activity and sulforaphane, anthocyanin and flavonoids contents; and decreased the total phenolics content.
- Glucoraphanin, sulforaphane and myrosinase activity in germinating broccoli sprouts as affected by growth temperature and plant organs
- Maximization of sulforaphane content in broccoli sprouts by blanching.
Allergies
The effect of broccoli sprout extract on seasonal grass pollen-induced allergic rhinitis.
Anti-Inflammatory
- Anti-inflammatory potential of digested Brassica sprout extracts in human macrophage-like HL-60 cells.
- The anti-inflammatory effects of broccoli sprout extract in RAW 264.7 macrophages.
Antioxidant
The present study demonstrates that broccoli sprouts are a good source of natural antioxidants.
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Cancer
- Broccoli Sprouts and Their Effect on Breast Cancer
- The preventive effects of broccoli bioactives against cancer: Evidence from a validated rat glioma model.
- Sulforaphane, a dietary component of broccoli/broccoli sprouts, inhibits breast cancer stem cells.
- Inhibition of urinary bladder carcinogenesis by broccoli sprouts.
- Selenium enrichment of broccoli sprout extract increases chemosensitivity and apoptosis of LNCaP prostate cancer cells.
Cardiovascular
Detoxification
Diabetes
Gastroprotective
- Broccoli sprouts reduce colonization and attenuate gastritis in Helicobacter pylori-infected mice and humans.
- Sulforaphane inhibits extracellular, intracellular, and antibiotic-resistant strains of*Helicobacter pylori*and prevents benzo[a]pyrene-induced stomach tumors. .
- Brassica oleracea sprout juices were shown to confer protection to an in vitro model of inflamed human intestinal epithelium.
- Steamed broccoli sprouts alleviate DSS-induced inflammation and retain gut microbial biogeography in mice.
- A steamed broccoli sprout diet preparation that reduces colitis via the gut microbiota.
Hepatoprotective
Immune System Effects
Insulin
Mental Health
- dietary intake of SFN-rich broccoli sprouts during the juvenile and adolescence may prevent the onset of psychosis at adulthood.
- Supplementation therapy of sulforaphane rich broccoli sprout extract may have the potential to improve cognitive deficits in patients with schizophrenia.
- Broccoli sprout could be prophylactic vegetable to prevent or minimize the relapse by inflammation in the remission state of depressed patients.
- Raw broccoli sprouts juice was shown here to protect against Aβ-induced cytotoxicity and apoptosis.
Oxidative Stress
- Broccoli sprout extract containing sulforaphane attentuated alcohol-induced oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress through restoration of antioxidant enzyme function in mice.
- Broccoli sprouts is a rich source of antioxidants that improves the defensive system against oxidative stress in the human colon mucosa.
Thyroid
Broccoli sprouts and their influence on thyroid function.
Other Effects
- Broccoli sprouts have a positive effect on the nasal response to live attenuated influenza virus in smokers.
- A broccoli sprout beverage rapidly enhanced the detoxication of the airborne pollutants benzene, acrolein, and crotonaldehyde.
- Broccoli sprout homogenate is safe in stable SCD patients and may induce changes in gene expression levels.
- Maternal dietary supplementation with BrSp prevented the detrimental neurocognitive and neuropathologic effects of chronic intrauterine ischemia.
- This article focuses on the effects of sulforaphane on CSCs and self-renewal pathways.
- Glucosinolate-rich broccoli sprouts protect against oxidative stress and improve adaptations to intense exercise training.