Sulforaphane (SFN), a natural isothiocyanate mainly derived from cruciferous vegetables, activates the Nrf2 pathway to mediate antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective effects.
Recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated SFN’s safety and pharmacokinetic profiles in humans, with varied efficacy signals reported in neurological, metabolic, psychiatric, and cardiovascular conditions.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of preclinical models affirm SFN’s renoprotective and lipid-modulating properties, encouraging further clinical investigations in chronic kidney disease and metabolic syndrome.
Emerging evidence suggests potential clinical utility of SFN in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), depression related to cardiac intervention, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and certain cancers, although larger, well-powered trials remain necessary.
