Database Query Results : Sulforaphane (mainly Broccoli), , Warburg

SFN, Sulforaphane (mainly Broccoli): Click to Expand ⟱
Features:
Sulforaphane is an isothiocyanate derived from glucoraphanin, a compound found predominantly in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage. It is well known for its potent antioxidant and detoxification properties and has gained significant attention for its potential chemopreventive and anticancer effects.

Summary
1.primarily attenuates both DNMTs and HDACs, individually suppressing DNA hypermethylation and histones deacetylation, ultimately upregulating NRF2 (best known for NRF2↑)
2.Antioxidant Activity:
• Nrf2 activation leads to the upregulation of a host of antioxidant and detoxification enzymes (e.g., glutathione S-transferase, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1, heme oxygenase-1), which in turn decrease oxidative stress and lower ROS levels.
3.Pro-oxidant Effects in Cancer Cells and Under High-Dose Conditions (>=10uM?)
• In certain cancer cell types or at higher concentrations, sulforaphane can paradoxically lead to an increase in ROS levels.
• The elevated ROS may overwhelm the cancer cells’ antioxidant defenses, leading to oxidative stress–mediated cell death (apoptosis).
• This context-dependent pro-oxidant effect has been explored for its potential in selectively targeting cancer cells while leaving normal cells less affected.

- Might not be a good candidate for pro-oxidant strategy depending on concentration >10uM?.
- Strong Activation of Nrf2 (best known for) at low to moderate concentrations, hence reduces oxidative stress in both cancer and normal cells.
- AMPK signaling activated by SFN, high concentrations of ROS are produced
- ROS generation also results in depletion of GSH levels
- HIF-1α and VEGF inhibitor
- Might be effective against cancer stem cells
- But I would not combine that with radiation, as Sulforaphane activates the anti-oxidant master regulator of cells.
- “I very much agree: Sulforaphane is a very good addition, even more when the choice is an anti-oxidant therapy”
- well known as HDAC inhibitor (typically 5-10um concentrations)
-A transient decrease in HDAC activity has also been observed in healthy humans 3 h after providing a daily 200 µM SFN dose, resulting in a plasma concentration of SFN metabolites of 0.1–0.2 µM.


Dose/Bioavailabilty information:
SFN at a daily dose of 2.2 µM/kg body weight, with a mean plasma level of 0.13 µM Sprout 127.6 grams = 205uM±19.9 content yields SFN 0.5 to 2uM in plasma.
However, it is important to consider that at lower doses, specifically 2.5 μM, SFN resulted in a slight increase in cell proliferation by 5.18–11.84% within a 6 to 48 h treatment window.
-A therapeutic dose starts at approx 60 grams of the sprouts.
-100 g of Broccoli sprouts contain about 15–20 mg of sulforaphane
–Organic Broccoli Sprout Powder (Health Ranger) – Avmacol® – NanoPSA (a blend of NanoStilbene™ and Broccoli Sprout Extract).
- -750 mg Sulforaphane Glucosinolate in Daily One Serving (2 capsules) (30mg Sulforaphane)

Total sulforaphane metabolite concentration in plasma was the highest (>2 μM) at 3 h in human subjects who consumed fresh broccoli sprouts (40g)
-human studies with broccoli sprouts or extracts report plasma sulforaphane levels in the low micromolar range (typically 1–2 µM) after ingesting realistic, food-based quantities of sprouts (often in the range of 30–50 g of sprouts or a concentrated extract).

BroccoSprouts are young broccoli sprouts that have garnered attention because they contain high amounts of glucoraphanin—a precursor molecule to sulforaphane. Studies have shown that broccoli sprouts can have sulforaphane precursor levels (i.e., glucoraphanin levels) that are 10 to 100 times higher than those found in mature broccoli heads. Glucoraphanin content in broccoli sprouts can range anywhere from about 30 to over 100 mg per 100 grams of fresh sprouts. Once activated (e.g., during consumption when myrosinase acts on glucoraphanin), these levels translate into a significant sulforaphane yield, meaning that even a small amount of broccoli sprouts can deliver a potent dose of this bioactive compound.

Importantly, glucoraphanin itself is not bioactive. Rather, enzymatic hydrolysis by myrosinase, present in the plant tissue or in the mammalian microbiome, is necessary to form the active component, SFN.
- GFN (glucoraphanin) is hydrolyzed in vivo to SFN via the myrosinase, which is present in gut bacteria as well as the plant itself (also in Radish)
- Do not cook the vegetables, or if you do add myrosinase back in by adding radish.
- mild heat of broccoli (60–70 °C) inactivated ESP and preserved myrosinase and increased SF yield 3–7-fold
- chewing of fresh broccoli sprouts increases the interaction of glucosinolates with myrosinase and consequently, increases the bioavailability of SFN in the body

-Note half-life 2-3 hrs.
BioAv is good (15-80%) but requires myrosinase
Pathways:
- induce ROS production
- ROS↑ related: MMP↓(ΔΨm), ER Stress↑, UPR↑, GRP78↑, Ca+2↑, Cyt‑c↑, Caspases↑, DNA damage↑, cl-PARP↑, HSP↓, Prx,
- Lowers AntiOxidant defense in Cancer Cells: NRF2↓(contrary, actually most raises NRF2), TrxR↓**, GSH↓, Catalase↓(contrary), HO1↓(contrary), GPx↓
- Raises AntiOxidant defense in Normal Cells: ROS↓, NRF2↑, SOD↑, GSH↑, Catalase↑,
- lowers Inflammation : NF-kB↓, COX2↓, p38↓, Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines : NLRP3↓, IL-1β↓, TNF-α↓, IL-6↓, IL-8↓
- inhibit Growth/Metastases : TumMeta↓, TumCG↓, EMT↓, MMPs↓, MMP2↓, MMP9↓, IGF-1↓, VEGF↓, ROCK1↓, FAK↓, RhoA↓, NF-κB↓, CXCR4↓, α-SMA↓, ERK↓
- reactivate genes thereby inhibiting cancer cell growth : HDAC↓, DNMTs↓, EZH2↓, P53↑, HSP↓, Sp proteins↓,
- cause Cell cycle arrest : TumCCA↑, cyclin D1↓, cyclin E↓, CDK2↓, CDK4↓, CDK6↓,
- inhibits Migration/Invasion : TumCMig↓, TumCI↓, TNF-α↓, FAK↓, ERK↓, EMT↓,
- inhibits glycolysis /Warburg Effect and ATP depletion : HIF-1α↓, PKM2↓, cMyc↓, GLUT1↓, LDH↓, LDHA↓, HK2↓, ECAR↓, OXPHOS↓, GRP78↑, GlucoseCon↓
- inhibits angiogenesis↓ : VEGF↓, HIF-1α↓, Notch↓, PDGF↓, EGFR↓, Integrins↓,
- inhibits Cancer Stem Cells : CSC↓, Hh↓, GLi↓, GLi1↓, CD133↓, β-catenin↓, sox2↓, notch2↓, nestin↓, OCT4↓,
- Others: PI3K↓, AKT↓, JAK↓, STAT↓, Wnt↓, β-catenin↓, AMPK, ERK↓, 5↓, - SREBP (related to cholesterol).
- Synergies: chemo-sensitization, chemoProtective, RadioSensitizer, RadioProtective, Others(review target notes), Neuroprotective, Cognitive, Renoprotection, Hepatoprotective, CardioProtective,

- Selectivity: Cancer Cells vs Normal Cells

Rank Pathway / Axis Cancer Cells Normal Cells Label Primary Interpretation Notes
1 NRF2 / KEAP1 antioxidant response ↑ NRF2 (often insufficient for rescue) ↑ NRF2 (protective) Driver Electrophile-driven stress response Sulforaphane covalently modifies KEAP1, activating NRF2 signaling
2 Histone deacetylases (HDACs) ↓ HDAC activity ↔ mild modulation Driver Epigenetic reprogramming HDAC inhibition alters transcription of cell-cycle and apoptosis genes
3 Reactive oxygen species (ROS) ↑ ROS (transient / stress-inducing) ↓ ROS Secondary Redox signaling perturbation ROS rise reflects electrophilic stress rather than classic redox cycling
4 Cell cycle regulation ↑ G2/M or G1 arrest ↔ largely spared Secondary Cytostatic growth control Cell-cycle arrest is a prominent phenotype in cancer cells
5 Intrinsic apoptosis ↑ apoptosis (context-dependent) ↔ protected Phenotypic Threshold-dependent cell death Apoptosis occurs when stress exceeds adaptive capacity
6 NF-κB signaling ↓ NF-κB activation ↓ inflammatory NF-κB tone Secondary Suppression of inflammatory survival programs NF-κB inhibition supports anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects


Warburg, Warburg Effect: Click to Expand ⟱
Source:
Type: effect

The Warburg effect (aerobic glycolysis) is a metabolic phenotype where many cancer cells use high glycolytic flux and lactate production even when oxygen is available. Tumors often contain hypoxic regions that further drive glycolysis, but Warburg metabolism can also occur under normoxic conditions (“pseudo-hypoxia”) via oncogenic signaling and metabolic rewiring.

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1α) is one important driver in hypoxic tumor regions. HIF-1α upregulates glycolytic genes (e.g., GLUT1, HK2, LDHA) and promotes reduced mitochondrial pyruvate oxidation in part through induction of PDK (which inhibits PDH), shifting carbon toward lactate.

Warburg effect (GLUT1, LDHA, HK2, and PKM2).
Classic HIF-Warburg axis: PDK1 and MCT4 (SLC16A3) (pyruvate gate + lactate export).

Here are some of the key pathways and potential targets:

Note: use database Filter to find inhibitors: Ex pick target HIF1α, and effect direction ↓

1.Glycolysis Inhibitors:(2-DG, 3-BP)
- HK2 Inhibitors: such as 2-deoxyglucose, can reduce glycolysis
-PFK1 Inhibitors: such as PFK-158, can reduce glycolysis
-PFKFB Inhibitors:
- PKM2 Inhibitors: (Shikonin)
-Can reduce glycolysis
- LDH Inhibitors: (Gossypol, FX11)
-Reducing the conversion of pyruvate to lactate.
-Inhibiting the production of ATP and NADH.
- GLUT1 Inhibitors: (phloretin, WZB117)
-A key transporter involved in glucose uptake.
-GLUT3 Inhibitors:
- PDK1 Inhibitors: (dichloroacetate)
- A key enzyme involved in the regulation of glycolysis. PDK inhibitors (e.g., DCA) activate PDH and shift pyruvate into TCA/OXPHOS, reducing lactate pressure.

2.Pentose phosphate pathway:
- G6PD Inhibitors: can reduce the pentose phosphate pathway

3.Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF1α) pathway:
- HIF1α inhibitors: (PX-478,Shikonin)
-Reduce expression of glycolytic genes and inhibit cancer cell growth.

4.AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway:
-AMPK activators: (metformin,AICAR,berberine)
-Can increase AMPK activity and inhibit cancer cell growth.

5.mTOR pathway:
- mTOR inhibitors:(rapamycin,everolimus)
-Can reduce mTOR activity and inhibit cancer cell growth.

Warburg Targeting Matrix (Cancer Metabolism)

Node What It Does (Warburg role) Representative Inhibitors / Modulators Mechanism Snapshot Typical Tumor Effects Best-Fit Tumor Context Common Constraints / Gotchas TSF Combination Logic
GLUT (glucose uptake)
GLUT1 (SLC2A1) focus
Controls glucose entry; sets the upper bound on glycolytic flux. Research/repurposing: WZB117 (GLUT1), BAY-876 (GLUT1), STF-31 (GLUT1 tool), Fasentin (GLUT), Phloretin (broad, weak)
Dietary/indirect: some polyphenols reported to lower GLUT1 expression (context)
Blocks glucose transport or reduces GLUT1 expression → less substrate for glycolysis & PPP. ATP stress (in highly glycolytic tumors), lactate ↓, growth slowdown; can sensitize to stressors. High-GLUT1 tumors; hypoxic / glycolysis-addicted phenotypes. Systemic glucose handling and glucose-dependent tissues; tumor compensation via alternate fuels. P, R Pairs with ROS/ETC stressors or LDH/MCT blockade; beware compensatory glutaminolysis/fatty acid oxidation.
Hexokinase (HK2)
first committed glycolysis step
Traps glucose as G-6-P; HK2 often upregulated and mitochondria-associated in tumors. Clinical/adjunct interest: 2-Deoxyglucose (2-DG; glycolysis + glycosylation stress)
Research: Lonidamine-class glycolysis axis drugs (not “pure HK2”), 3-bromopyruvate (hazardous research agent; not for casual use)
Competitive substrate mimic (2-DG) → 2-DG-6P accumulation; HK flux ↓; ER glycosylation stress ↑. ATP ↓, AMPK ↑, ER stress/UPR ↑, autophagy ↑, apoptosis (context); radiosensitization reported. Highly glycolytic tumors; tumors with strong HK2 dependence; hypoxic cores. Normal glucose-dependent tissues; ER-stress toxicities; dosing/tolerability limits in practice. P, R, G Pairs with radiation, pro-oxidant stress, or MCT/LDH blockade; watch systemic glucose effects.
LDH (LDHA/LDHB)
pyruvate ⇄ lactate
Regenerates NAD+ to sustain glycolysis; LDHA supports lactate production and acidification. Tier A direct inhibitors: FX11, (R)-GNE-140, NCI-006, Oxamate, Galloflavin, Gossypol
Tier B indirect: polyphenols (often lactate/LDH expression ↓ rather than catalytic inhibition)
Blocks LDH catalysis → NAD+ recycling ↓ → glycolysis throttles; pyruvate handling shifts; redox pressure ↑. Lactate ↓, glycolytic flux ↓, oxidative stress ↑ (often secondary), growth inhibition; immune microenvironment may improve if lactate decreases. LDHA-high tumors; lactate-driven immunosuppression; glycolysis-addicted phenotypes. Metabolic plasticity: tumors switch fuels; some LDH inhibitors have PK liabilities; “LDH release” ≠ LDH inhibition. R, G Pairs with MCT inhibition (trap lactate), NAD+ axis inhibitors, immune therapy (lactate suppression logic), and OXPHOS stressors (context).
MCT (lactate transport)
MCT1 (SLC16A1), MCT4 (SLC16A3)
Exports lactate + H+ (acidifies TME); enables lactate shuttling between tumor subclones. Clinical-stage: AZD3965 (MCT1 inhibitor; clinical trials)
Research: AR-C155858 (MCT1/2), Syrosingopine (MCT1/4; repurposed), Lonidamine (MCT + MPC axis)
Blocks lactate export/import → intracellular acid stress ↑ (in glycolytic cells) and lactate shuttling ↓. Acid stress, growth inhibition; may improve immune function by reducing lactate/acidic suppression (context). MCT1-high tumors; oxidative “lactate-using” tumor fractions; tumors with lactate shuttling. MCT4-driven export can bypass MCT1-only inhibitors; hypoxia upregulates MCT4; need target matching. P, R Pairs strongly with LDH inhibitors (cut production + block export), and with immune therapy rationale (lactate/acid microenvironment).
PDK (PDK1-4)
PDH gatekeeper
PDK inhibits PDH → keeps pyruvate out of mitochondria; supports Warburg by favoring lactate. Prototype: Dichloroacetate (DCA; pan-PDK inhibitor “classic”)
Research: AZD7545 (PDK2 inhibitor; tool), newer PDK inhibitor series (research)
Inhibits PDK → PDH active ↑ → pyruvate into TCA/OXPHOS ↑; lactate pressure ↓. Warburg reversal pressure (context), lactate ↓, mitochondrial flux ↑; can increase ROS in some settings (secondary). PDK-high tumors; tumors with suppressed PDH flux; “glycolysis locked” metabolic phenotype. Requires functional mitochondrial capacity; hypoxia can limit OXPHOS shift; effect is often modulatory rather than directly cytotoxic. R, G Pairs with therapies that exploit mitochondrial dependence or redox stress; can complement LDH/MCT strategies by reducing lactate drive.

Time-Scale Flag (TSF): P / R / G

  • P: 0–30 min (direct transport/enzyme flux effects begin)
  • R: 30 min–3 hr (acute ATP/NAD+/acid stress and signaling changes)
  • G: >3 hr (gene adaptation, phenotype outcomes, immune/TME effects)


Scientific Papers found: Click to Expand⟱
2403- SFN,    Reversal of the Warburg phenomenon in chemoprevention of prostate cancer by sulforaphane
- in-vitro, Pca, LNCaP - in-vitro, Pca, 22Rv1 - in-vitro, Pca, PC3 - in-vivo, NA, NA
ECAR↓, SFN treatment: (i) decreased real-time extracellular acidification rate in LNCaP, but not in PC-3 cell line;
HK2↓, (ii) significantly downregulated expression of hexokinase II (HKII), pyruvate kinase M2 and/or lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) in vitro in cells and in vivo . HKII: 32%
PKM2↓, PKM2: 45%
LDHA↓, LDHA: 33%
Glycolysis↓, (iii) significantly suppressed glycolysis in prostate of Hi-Myc mice
Warburg↓, Reversal of the Warburg phenomenon


* indicates research on normal cells as opposed to diseased cells
Total Research Paper Matches: 1

Pathway results for Effect on Cancer / Diseased Cells:


Core Metabolism/Glycolysis

ECAR↓, 1,   Glycolysis↓, 1,   HK2↓, 1,   LDHA↓, 1,   PKM2↓, 1,   Warburg↓, 1,  
Total Targets: 6

Pathway results for Effect on Normal Cells:


Total Targets: 0

Scientific Paper Hit Count for: Warburg, Warburg Effect
Query results interpretion may depend on "conditions" listed in the research papers.
Such Conditions may include : 
  -low or high Dose
  -format for product, such as nano of lipid formations
  -different cell line effects
  -synergies with other products 
  -if effect was for normal or cancerous cells
Filter Conditions: Pro/AntiFlg:%  IllCat:%  CanType:%  Cells:%  prod#:156  Target#:947  State#:%  Dir#:%
wNotes=on sortOrder:rid,rpid

 

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