Home Ingredients BroccoRaphanin® (Broccoli Seed Glucoraphanin)
AntioxidantLiver Health

BroccoRaphanin® (Broccoli Seed Glucoraphanin)

Brassica oleracea
Evidence Level
Limited
1 Clinical Trial
3 Documented Benefits
2/5 Evidence Score

BroccoRaphanin® is a broccoli (Brassica oleracea) seed extract standardized for glucoraphanin, the precursor the body converts into sulforaphane. Sulforaphane activates the Nrf2 pathway, which raises the body's antioxidant and phase 2 detoxification enzymes in laboratory and animal studies. The human evidence, however, comes from a single small trial of generic broccoli SPROUT extract (a different source material than this broccoli-seed ingredient), and it measured liver-enzyme and oxidative-stress markers rather than a clinical detox or antioxidant outcome.

Studied Dose Commonly providing tens of milligrams of glucoraphanin per day.
Active Compound Broccoli seed extract standardized for glucoraphanin (sulforaphane glucosinolate), the precursor to sulforaphane.

Benefits

Detoxification support

Sulforaphane from glucoraphanin activates the Nrf2 pathway, which raises phase 2 detoxification enzymes in laboratory and animal studies. This is a mechanism only: no human trial has measured a detoxification outcome for this ingredient.

Supported by Trial 1

Antioxidant defense

By activating Nrf2, sulforaphane can raise the body's antioxidant enzymes. In the one small human trial (generic broccoli sprout extract), a urinary oxidative-stress marker (8-OHdG) fell; longer-term or clinical antioxidant benefits have not been measured.

Supported by Trial 1

Liver support

In one small trial, generic broccoli sprout extract (not this broccoli-seed ingredient) modestly improved liver-enzyme markers in men with fatty liver. These are blood markers, not a measured clinical liver outcome.

Supported by Trial 1

Mechanism of action

1

Glucoraphanin to sulforaphane conversion

The enzyme myrosinase (from the plant or gut bacteria) converts glucoraphanin into active sulforaphane in the body.

2

Nrf2 activation

Sulforaphane activates the Nrf2 transcription factor, upregulating a broad network of antioxidant and detoxification enzymes.

Clinical trials

1
Broccoli Sprout Extract and Liver Markers (generic sulforaphane, not BroccoRaphanin)
PubMed

Study of sulforaphane-rich broccoli sprout extract on hepatic (liver) markers in male subjects. (Kikuchi et al. 2015, World Journal of Gastroenterology)

Japanese men with fatty liver (n=52).

In men with fatty liver (24 on extract, 28 on placebo, 2 months), the broccoli sprout group showed modest within-group falls in serum ALT and gamma-GTP and a drop in urinary 8-OHdG (an oxidative-stress marker), while placebo did not change. These are surrogate blood and urine markers, not a measured clinical liver outcome, and the extract was generic broccoli sprout rather than the branded broccoli-seed ingredient.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well-tolerated — adverse effects are uncommon at normal doses.
Mild digestive upset is occasionally reported.
Discontinue if any unusual reaction occurs.

Important Drug interactions

No major drug interactions are established for this ingredient.
Tell your doctor about all supplements if you take prescription medication.
Use caution if pregnant, breastfeeding, or managing a health condition.

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Frequently asked questions about BroccoRaphanin® (Broccoli Seed Glucoraphanin)

What is BroccoRaphanin?

BroccoRaphanin® is a broccoli (Brassica oleracea) seed extract standardized for glucoraphanin, the precursor the body converts into sulforaphane. Sulforaphane activates the Nrf2 pathway, which raises the body's antioxidant and phase 2 detoxification enzymes in laboratory and animal studies.

What is BroccoRaphanin used for?

BroccoRaphanin is researched primarily for Antioxidant and Liver Health. Sulforaphane from glucoraphanin activates the Nrf2 pathway, which raises phase 2 detoxification enzymes in laboratory and animal studies. This is a mechanism only: no human trial has measured a detoxification outcome for this ingredient.

What is the recommended dosage of BroccoRaphanin?

The clinically studied dose is Commonly providing tens of milligrams of glucoraphanin per day. Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is BroccoRaphanin safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, BroccoRaphanin is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally well-tolerated — adverse effects are uncommon at normal doses. Mild digestive upset is occasionally reported. It may also interact with some medications. BroccoRaphanin is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does BroccoRaphanin interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: No major drug interactions are established for this ingredient. Tell your doctor about all supplements if you take prescription medication. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for BroccoRaphanin?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for BroccoRaphanin as Limited (2 out of 5). It is backed by 1 clinical trial and 1 cited reference summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(1 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. Kikuchi M, Ushida Y, Shiozawa H, et al. Sulforaphane-rich broccoli sprout extract improves hepatic abnormalities in male subjects. World J Gastroenterol. 2015;21(43):12457-67..PubMedUsed to support: Human study supporting liver and antioxidant benefit of broccoli glucoraphanin/sulforaphane.