Antibacterial effects of sulforaphane - A phytonutrient derived from broccoli as promising candidate in the combat of bacterial infections.

Bacterial pathogens, particularly antibiotic-resistant strains may constitute major challenges for the successful treatment of infected patients. Therefore, novel antibiotics or alternative, antibiotics-independent compounds with antimicrobial properties such as phytonutrients are needed. Our systematic literature review summarizes current knowledge on antibacterial effects of sulforaphane (SFN) in vitro and in vivo, including human studies. The isothiocyanate SFN is abundant in plants from the Brassicaceae family including broccoli. The 28 reports reviewed herein revealed that SFN i.) exerted antimicrobial effects against a variety of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria; ii.) counteracted distinct virulence factors such as biofilm formation and toxin production (e.g. Shiga toxin); iii.) enhanced antibacterial immune cell responses mounting in anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory actions thereby supporting bacterial killing and dampening inflammatory cell and tissue damage; iv.) prevented from aspirin-induced small intestinal cell injury; and v.) alleviated Helicobacter pylori-induced gastritis. In conclusion, given its antibacterial, immune-modulatory, and disease-alleviating effects, SFN constitutes a promising alternative antibiotic-independent candidate for the treatment of bacterial infections, warranting further consideration in clinical trials.