Sulforaphane is derived from the consumption of cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli. It has shown anticancer and cardioprotective activities.

Sulforaphane triggers a dose-dependent cell cycle arrest, leading to cell death, and this effect is associated with elevated levels of cyclins A and B1. It promotes apoptosis to cause cell death and blocks the resumption of growth, reducing the survival of quiescent colon carcinoma cells (HT29), while exhibiting less toxicity towards differentiated CaCo2 cells [1]. Additionally, sulforaphane pre-treatment in H9c2 rat myoblasts lowers the number of apoptotic cells and the presence of pro-apoptotic proteins, alongside mitigating the doxorubicin-induced rise in mitochondrial membrane potential. It also enhances mRNA and protein levels of heme oxygenase-1, thereby decreasing reactive oxygen species in mitochondria triggered by doxorubicin [2].

Administration of sulforaphane reduces the incidence, multiplicity, and weights and delays the development of the mammary tumors evoked by a single dose of DMBA in female SD rats [3].

HT29 cells are seeded at low density (5×10^4 cells/mL) in 35- or 120-mm diameter Primaria dishes in standard medium containing 5% FCS. One day after seeding, the medium is changed, and HT29 cells are treated with sulforaphane (0-30 μM). An equivalent amount of the solvent (ethanol) is added to control cells (0.2% final concentration). The drug effect on cellular viability is evaluated using the MTT assay [1].

At age 47, 48, 49, 50, and 51 days, each animal receives by gavage either 0.5 mL of Emulphor EL-620 alone or the specified doses (75, 100, or 150 μM daily) of sulforaphane or compound 2, 3, or 4 in 0.5 mL of Emulphor EL-620. On day 50, 3 hr after administration of the vehicle or protector, all rats also receive an intragastric instillation of 8.0 mg of DMBA dissolved in 1.0 mL of sesame oil. This dose of DMBA is selected to produce a substantial tumor incidence, but not one so high as to overwhelm a potential chemoprotective effect. The animals are examined once weekly for the appearance and location of palpable tumors. At age 202 days, i.e., 152 days after carcinogen administration, all animals are euthanized with ether and weighed. The tumors are separated from the fat and connective tissue by dissection weighed and fixed in buffered 10% formalin. All tumors are identified microscopically by examination of stained sections [3].