Found in raw cruciferous vegetables such as kale, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage, sulforaphane is especially abundant in broccoli sprouts.
You need to chew, chop, or blend these vegetables in order to activate sulforaphane production. These actions bring together glucoraphanin and an enzyme called myrosinase, allowing the body to benefit from this remarkable plant compound.
Research
Coronavirus research (2022): A study published in Communications Biology found that sulforaphane inhibited six SARS-CoV-2 strains in laboratory experiments, including Delta and Omicron, as well as seasonal coronavirus HCoV-OC43. In infected mice, pretreatment reduced viral levels in the respiratory tract and lungs and lessened lung damage.
Study conclusions: "Our results suggest that SFN (sulforaphane) should be explored as a potential agent for the prevention or treatment of coronavirus infections."
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Dengue virus research (2022): Researchers found sulforaphane helped slow the spread of the dengue virus in laboratory experiments. It appeared to work in two ways: by blocking a protein the virus needs to multiply and by activating the body's natural antiviral defenses.
Study conclusions: "SFN (sulforaphane) represents significant anti-DENV (Dengue virus) activity in vitro and in vivo and is a promising drug candidate or dietary supplement against DENV."
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Hepatitis C research (2016): A laboratory study found that sulforaphane reduced hepatitis C viral RNA and protein levels. Researchers believe it works by activating the NRF2/HO-1 pathway, which helps protect cells from stress and damage.
Study conclusions: "In this study, we demonstrated that SFN (sulforaphane) significantly suppressed HCV protein and RNA levels in HCV (Hepatitis C Virus) replicon cells and infectious system."
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Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) research (2021): Experiments using human lung cells showed that sulforaphane reduced RSV infection and influenced protective antioxidant pathways. RSV is a respiratory virus that can cause serious illness in infants and older adults.
Study conclusions: "LSF (L-sulforaphane) significantly reduced RSV infection in human lung epithelial cells. Overall, LSF represents an exciting avenue for further antimicrobial research, particularly as a novel therapy against H. influenzae species and RSV."
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Influenza research (2023): Researchers studied a group of compounds and reported reduced production of infectious influenza A virus in laboratory experiments involving sulforaphane. This suggests potential activity against another major respiratory virus.
Study conclusions: "SFN (Sulforaphane) which correlated with their ability to prevent nucleo-cytoplasmic export of viral nucleoprotein and the host cell protein p53."
Hepatitis B research (2024): Researchers investigated sulforaphane's effects on hepatitis B virus in laboratory and animal experiments. Findings suggested that it influences immune signaling and the activity of immune cells involved in the response to infection.
Study conclusions: "Our findings demonstrate that SFN (Sulforaphane) inhibit HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) infection by inhibiting the expression of MIF and promoting the polarization of macrophages towards the M1 phenotype, which illustrates a promising therapeutic approach in HBV infection."
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SARS-CoV-2 research (2024): Researchers found that sulforaphane had significant antiviral activity and appeared to inhibit the virus's main protease, an enzyme required for viral replication.
Study conclusions: "SFN (Sulforaphane) and potentially other Nrf2 modulators can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 independently of Nrf2 activation in cell models, their Nrf2-dependent activities might be crucial for antiviral defense under physiological conditions."