Sulforaphane mobilizes cellular defenses that protect skin against damage by UV radiation.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Small human experimental challenge study (n=6) combined with preclinical animal models
PubMed 17956979 · doi:10.1073/pnas.0708710104
What was done
Researchers evaluated the protective effects of topical sulforaphane-rich extracts from 3-day-old broccoli sprouts against UV radiation (UVR) in mice and humans. In the human trial, six healthy subjects (three males and three females, aged 28–53 years) received the topical extract and were exposed to narrow-band 311-nm UVR across six doses (300 to 800 mJ/cm² in 100 mJ/cm² increments) to assess phase 2 enzyme upregulation and erythema susceptibility.
What was found
Topical extract application upregulated phase 2 enzymes in mouse and human skin and protected against UVR-induced inflammation and edema in mice. In the six human subjects, the mean reduction in erythema across six UVR doses was 37.7% (range 8.37% to 78.1%; P = 0.025).
Why it matters
This paper provides proof-of-concept evidence that topical sulforaphane upregulates intrinsic cellular defenses in human skin and decreases acute UV-induced erythema.
Limits
The human cohort was extremely small (n = 6), and the abstract does not report control comparisons, blinding, or long-term clinical protection against nonmelanoma skin cancer.
Cited by
- supports Topical application of sulforaphane protects human skin against ultraviolet radiation.