L-Sulforaphane

Nrf2 activation of the antioxidant response element (ARE) is central to cytoprotective gene expression against oxidative and/or electrophilic stress. Unless activated by inflammatory, environmental, or oxidative stressors, Nrf2 is sequestered in the cytoplasm by its repressor, Keap1. Because of its protective capabilities, small molecules that activate Nrf2 signaling are being examined as potential anti-cancer or anti-inflammatory agents. DL-Sulforaphane N-acetyl-L-cysteine (SFN-NAC) is a major metabolite of SFN , a powerful inducer of chemopreventative enzymes via Keap1-Nrf2 signaling and ARE-driven gene expression. At 75 μM, SFN-NAC has been shown to increase ARE expression in HepG2-C8 cells. Its reported potency on ARE-related gene expression is roughly 8-fold less than SFN.

(R)-Sulforaphane (L-Sulforaphane) is a potent inducer of the Keap1 Nrf2 ARE pathway.

S-(N-Methylsulfinylbutylthiocarbamoyl)-L-cysteine (SFN-Cys) is an isothiocyanate derivative, functioning as an active metabolite of sulforaphane, a class I and II histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, and anticancer agent. This compound is generated from sulforaphane through intermediates - DL-sulforaphane glutathione and sulforaphane cysteinylglycine - via the mercapturic acid pathway enzymes. At a concentration of 20 µM, SFN-Cys diminishes invasion and migration of U87MG and U373 MG glioblastoma cells as observed in wound healing and chamber assays. Furthermore, at 45 µM, it significantly lowers the expression of α-tubulin, βIII-tubulin, stathmin 1, and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP), and also reduces cell density in paclitaxel-resistant A549 lung cancer cells (A549/T). Additionally, when used at 30 µM, SFN-Cys prompts apoptosis and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase in U87MG and U373 MG cells.

Sulforaphane is a natural isothiocyanate that activates Nrf2 and inhibits AMPK-dependent signaling. Sulforaphane has antitumor and anti-inflammatory activities by increasing the transcription of tumor suppressor proteins and inhibiting histone deacetylase activity.