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Safety, tolerance, and metabolism of broccoli sprout glucosinolates and isothiocyanates: a clinical phase I study

Theresa A Shapiro, Jed W Fahey, Albena T Dinkova-Kostova, W David Holtzclaw, Katherine K Stephenson, Kristina L Wade, Lingxiang Ye, Paul Talalay
Nutrition and Cancer 2006 55(1):53-62

Bibliography

PubMed
PMID 16965241
DOI
10.1207/s15327914nc5501_7

Study snapshot

DesignRandomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase I clinical study
ModelHealthy adult inpatients
Sample12 participants in three cohorts
InterventionBroccoli sprout extracts providing 25 or 100 µmol glucosinolates, or 25 µmol isothiocyanates, every 8 hours for 7 days (21 doses), with placebo controls.
Duration7 days of dosing after 5-day acclimatization, plus 3 days post-treatment monitoring
EndpointsSafety and tolerability; Hematology and chemistry; Liver function; Thyroid function; Dithiocarbamate excretion; Metabolism and bioavailability

What the study showed, in plain terms

This early controlled human study tested short-term safety, tolerability and metabolism of broccoli sprout extracts delivering either glucoraphanin-rich glucosinolates or sulforaphane-rich isothiocyanates.

Key findings

No significant or consistent toxicities were attributed to the sprout extracts during the short study. Urinary recovery was much higher and more consistent after the isothiocyanate-rich preparation than after glucosinolate-rich preparations, supporting the importance of formulation for delivered sulforaphane exposure.

What this study can and cannot tell us

Only 12 participants were studied and exposure lasted one week, so the trial supports short-term safety and metabolism rather than long-term safety or clinical efficacy.

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Dr. Khaled Mahmoud, MBBChCritical Care Medicine, Longevity Science & Editorial Direction Dr. Amr Yasser, PhDCardiometabolic, Musculoskeletal, Gut & Bioavailability Dr. Abdulla Mostafa, PhDCellular Senescence, Neurological, Mitochondrial & Brain-Ageing Biology