Chemopreventive Role of Sulforaphane by Upholding the GSH Redox Cycle in Pre- and Post-initiation Phases of Experimental Lung Carcinogenesis

Sulforaphane (SFN) is a natural, biologically active compound extracted from cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cabbage with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. The present study was carried to assess cytoprotective potential in alleviating oxidative stress, to influence the initiation and subsequent carcinogenesis caused by benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P] administration in the pre- and post-initiation phases of carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice. Sulforaphane, supplemented orally at a dose of 9μmoles /mouse/day was found to greatly lessen the damaging effects of B(a)P in mice by increasing the availability of reducing equivalents to fulfil the futile GSH redox cycle and replenish GSH biosynthesis, stabilizing the thiol status. Activity of superoxide dismutase and catalase in native gel prove their differential activities in cancer induced and treated animals. SFN was also found to prevent formation of leaky membranes by boosting the antioxidant status leading to maintenance of ATPase activity in B(a)P treated animals. Histopathological analysis confirmed reduction of carcinogen-associated morphological changes in the lung tissue. The results suggest that SFN has potential as a chemopreventive phytochemical against B(a)P induced lung damage in the processes of carcinogenesis.