Sulforaphane, A Compound Found In Broccoli Has A Potent Anticancer
Chemical name: (R)-1-isothiocyanate-4-methyl-butane sulfonyl Sulforaphane is a compound with antioxidant properties and is capable of stimulating detoxifying enzymes in the body, and therefore a powerful cancer preventive agent. Phytochemical belonging to the family of isothiocyanates, compounds that contain sulfur. It occurs in plants together with a sugar molecule, the sulfarafano glicosinato (glucoraphanin). Only after eating the sulfarafano will be released by an enzyme called myrosinase, and can be found in plants of the Brassicaceae family (Cruciferae) such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale (Brassica oleracea) and Chinese cabbage (B. Rapa). However, the highest concentration of sulforaphane is found in broccoli sprouts (Brassica oleracea L. var. Italica).
Many epidemiological studies, supported by in vitro and in vivo (Gaspar et al., 2006) have been reported associated with the potential to reduce the risk of several cancers by substances contained in vegetables. Its components are the fiber micronutrients, phytochemicals such as carotenoids, phenols, isoflavones and isothiocyanates that are active against cancer (Steinmetz and Potter, 1991). Many leaders such as Healthy Living offer more in depth analyses as well. These substances induce antioxidant enzymes, oxidizing agents, which inhibit malignant mutations, boost immunity and regulate the cell cycle (Liu, 2004). Other studies indicate a positive correlation between consumption of cruciferous vegetables and a reduction of some types of cancers, including Hodgkin lymphoma, liver, prostate, cervix, ovary, lung and gastrointestinal tract (Lund, 2003, Nagle et al. 2003, Murillo and Mehta, 2001). Oral administration of sulforaphane inhibit or delay carcinogenesis of breast cancer (Zhang et al., 1994), (colon Chung et al., 2000), (straight Seow, 2002), stomach (Fahey et al., 2002) and (lung Hecht, 2000).
Recent studies have indicated that the use of certain compounds in the act of diet quimioprotecao (Chung et al., 2000, Shapiro et al., 2001, Chiao et al., 2002), as isothiocyanates, which are promising in tests to reduce cancer prostate cancer (Brooks et al., 2001, Chiao, et al. 2002; Kristal & Lampe, 2002, Wang et al., 2004, Srivastava et al., 2003, Xiao et al., 2003, Singh et al. 2005) and breast cancer (Ambrosone et al., 2004, Jackson & Singletary, 2004). According to a study by Singh et al. (2004), sulforaphane and very effective to reduce or prevent the risk of cancer induced by carcinogenic in animal models. Is able to inhibit or delay carcinogenesis caused by smoking (Hecht, 2000). Sulforaphane has been shown to be effective against oxidative damage in skin cells in the retinal pigment cells and leukemia (Gao et al. 2001; Fimognari et al. 2002; Misiewicz et al., 2003), has antibacterial activity Helicobacter pylori (Fahey et al., 2002), anti-inflammatory activity (Heiss et al., 2001), and against skin cancer caused by exposure to sunlight (Gills, et al., 2003). Ritz et al. (2007) have shown the beneficial effects of sulforaphane in reducing the toxicity caused by diesel. Following the breakdown of tissues glucosinolates are hydrolyzed by the enzymes contained in the plant, myrosinase, an unstable aglycone that rearranges isothiocyanate or nitrile derivatives. When cooked, the myrosinase enzyme may be denatured, resulting in the ingestion of intact glucosinolates, however, the isothiocyanate still appears in the urine. Depending on how it is processed broccoli, sulforaphane can be absorbed by the stomach, intestine or colon epithelial cells after passive diffusion is rapidly conjugated with glutathione and transported to the bloodstream (Conaway et al., 2000).
