Sulforaphane composition, cytotoxic and antioxidant activity of crucifer vegetables

Sulphur compounds in sulphur rich food have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of cancer development. One such compound is sulforaphane (SF), a cancer chemopreventive agent identified in broccoli (F. cruciferae). In this study, SF content was assessed in extracts of several crucifer vegetables including broccoli, brussels sprout, green cabbage, red cabbage, Chinese kale and turnip, in parallel with anticancer and antioxidant activity. Among tested crucifers, cabbage demonstrated a pronounced anticancer effect against A-549 lung cancer cells, with an IC50 value of 38 μg mL−1, and correlated with high SF levels at 540 μg g−1. Except for red cabbage and kale, crucifer extracts displayed moderate to weak activity in scavenging 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DDPH) free radicals relative to vitamin E standard.