Isothiocyanate from Broccoli, Sulforaphane, and Its Properties.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review without systematic search or meta-analytic methodology
PubMed 30372361 · doi:10.1089/jmf.2018.0024
What was done
This narrative review summarizes the chemical properties, metabolism, and biological activities of sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate derived from glucoraphanin in cruciferous vegetables via the enzyme myrosinase. The authors compiled findings across in vitro models, in vivo animal studies, and clinical reports regarding its metabolism through the mercapturic acid pathway and potential therapeutic roles.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical findings or effect sizes. It qualitatively describes that sulforaphane is metabolized via glutathione conjugation in the mercapturic acid pathway and summarizes reported benefits against various cancers, cardiovascular disease, autism, and osteoporosis.
Why it matters
It provides a broad introductory synthesis of sulforaphane sources, biochemical handling, and proposed clinical indications across preclinical and clinical literature.
Limits
The abstract reports no quantitative data, search parameters, or study selection criteria. As a narrative review rather than a systematic review, it cannot establish clinical efficacy or evaluate risk of bias across primary studies.
Cited by
- supports When cruciferous vegetables containing glucoraphanin are crushed or chewed, an enzyme converts glucoraphanin into sulforaphane.