Although much of the research on sulforaphane (SF) is associated with its ability to activate the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway, it exhibits a range of other important biological effects (e.g., inflammation modulation through NF-κB downregulation, infection control, immune system, selectively antibacterial, cell cycle control), displaying reasonable consistency in preclinical and nutritional interventions. The dose-response data appear to be reasonably consistent by disease state and tissue type and indicate that biologically relevant quantities of SF and other isothiocyanates can be provided in practical food- or supplement-based delivery systems. Other aspects of their bioavailability, including potential synergistic, additive, or antagonistic effects coming from combined treatments or food matrix effects are not well understood at the clinical level.The potential of SF and isothiocyanates as clinically relevant nutraceuticals in preventing and treating chronic disease is clear. The establishment of health claims per se is problematic from a regulatory perspective because SF is a phytochemical present in food, although it (or its glucosinolate precursor) can be delivered as an isolated supplement. The interest in research has been growing year over year since the early 1990s and this Research Topic should be a great platform for exploring new ideas and providing an updated consensus on this fascinating molecule and other structurally-related compounds.Therefore, this Research Topic welcomes original research articles exploring the most recent and innovative findings about sulforaphane or other isothiocyanates on physiological and pathological processes in human health. These findings can be corroborated by research on in vitro models, animal models, and human cohorts. Such studies have to clearly state the dosage of the molecule(s) of interest. We also welcome narrative and critical reviews about the state of the art of research on these compounds and current and future challenges in advancing the utilization of sulforaphane and similar molecules from scientific research to regular clinical practice.Themes of interest include, but are not limited to:• Natural sources of isothiocyanates.• Extraction, enrichment, delivery, and enhanced bioavailability technologies.• Studies on the benefits of sulforaphane and similar molecules administration on human health.• Metabolic, immune, and neuronal modulation triggered by isothiocyanates.• Interactions with the microbiome and the gut-brain axis.
Although much of the research on sulforaphane (SF) is associated with its ability to activate the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway, it exhibits a range of other important biological effects (e.g., inflammation modulation through NF-κB downregulation, infection control, immune system, selectively antibacterial, cell cycle control), displaying reasonable consistency in preclinical and nutritional interventions. The dose-response data appear to be reasonably consistent by disease state and tissue type and indicate that biologically relevant quantities of SF and other isothiocyanates can be provided in practical food- or supplement-based delivery systems. Other aspects of their bioavailability, including potential synergistic, additive, or antagonistic effects coming from combined treatments or food matrix effects are not well understood at the clinical level.The potential of SF and isothiocyanates as clinically relevant nutraceuticals in preventing and treating chronic disease is clear. The establishment of health claims per se is problematic from a regulatory perspective because SF is a phytochemical present in food, although it (or its glucosinolate precursor) can be delivered as an isolated supplement. The interest in research has been growing year over year since the early 1990s and this Research Topic should be a great platform for exploring new ideas and providing an updated consensus on this fascinating molecule and other structurally-related compounds.Therefore, this Research Topic welcomes original research articles exploring the most recent and innovative findings about sulforaphane or other isothiocyanates on physiological and pathological processes in human health. These findings can be corroborated by research on in vitro models, animal models, and human cohorts. Such studies have to clearly state the dosage of the molecule(s) of interest. We also welcome narrative and critical reviews about the state of the art of research on these compounds and current and future challenges in advancing the utilization of sulforaphane and similar molecules from scientific research to regular clinical practice.Themes of interest include, but are not limited to:• Natural sources of isothiocyanates.• Extraction, enrichment, delivery, and enhanced bioavailability technologies.• Studies on the benefits of sulforaphane and similar molecules administration on human health.• Metabolic, immune, and neuronal modulation triggered by isothiocyanates.• Interactions with the microbiome and the gut-brain axis.