The increasing incidence of prostate cancer worldwide has spurred research into novel therapeutics for its treatment and prevention. Sulforaphane, derived from broccoli and other members of the Brassica genus, is a phytochemical shown to have anticancer properties. Numerous studies have shown that sulforaphane prevents the development and progression of prostatic tumors. This review evaluates the most recent published reports on prevention of the progression of prostate cancer by sulforaphane in vitro, in vivo and in clinical settings. A detailed description of the proposed mechanisms of action of sulforaphane on prostatic cells is provided. Furthermore, we discuss the challenges, limitations and future prospects of using sulforaphane as a therapeutic agent in treatment of prostate cancer.
Keywords: broccoli; cancer therapeutics; cell cycle; green chemoprevention; myrosinase; prostate cancer; sulforaphane.