Sulforaphane: a powerful bioactive compound with chemopreventive properties and remarkable therapeutic benefits

Cancer is a multifactorial disease, therefore it is difficult to identify the specific agents responsible for its progression and development, but lifestyle and nutrition have been shown to play an important role. Several natural compounds, especially plant extracts, are demonstrating efficacy in the development of new cancer therapies, among these compounds sulforaphane is the most studied. But one of the main challenges with sulforaphane treatment is its low solubility and oral bioavailability. Several carriers are being studied to overcome these difficulties. Sulforaphane (SFN) is an isothiocyanate derived from cruciferous vegetables, particularly broccoli, known for its powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. Emerging evidence suggests that sulforaphane acts primarily through the activation of the transcription factor Nrf2, a crucial modulator of the antioxidant response and cellular detoxification. Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated that sulforaphane has beneficial effects on several diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and metabolic disorders. In this publication, we review the molecular mechanisms of sulforaphane, its therapeutic effects in various clinical settings, and provide an analysis of the most recent case studies that support its use in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases.