The preventive effects of broccoli bioactives against cancer: Evidence from a validated rat glioma model

The aggressive and incurable diffuse gliomas constitute 80% of malignant brain tumors, and patients succumb to recurrent surgeries and drug resistance. Epidemiological research indicates that substantial consumption of fruits and vegetables diminishes the risk of developing this tumor type. Broccoli consumption has shown beneficial effects in both cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. These effects are partially attributed to the isothiocyanate sulforaphane (SFN), which can regulate the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway, stimulate detoxifying enzymes, and activate cellular antioxidant defense processes. This study employs a C6 rat glioma model to assess the chemoprotective potential of aqueous extracts from broccoli seeds, sprouts, and inflorescences, all rich in SFN, and pure SFN as positive control. The findings reveal that administering a dose of 100 mg/kg of broccoli sprout aqueous extract and 0.1 mg/kg of SFN to animals for 30 days before introducing 1 × 10⁴ cells effectively halts tumor growth and progression. This study underscores the significance of exploring foods abundant in bioactive compounds, such as derivatives of broccoli, for potential preventive integration into daily diets. Using broccoli sprouts as a natural defense against cancer development might seem idealistic, yet this investigation establishes that administering this extract proves to be a valuable approach in designing strategies for glioma prevention. Although the findings stem from a rat glioma model, they offer promising insights for subsequent preclinical and clinical research endeavors.