What is the extract of broccoli flower buds? Analysis of the Health Value of the Core Ingredient Radish Sulfur

1、 Definition and characteristics of broccoli flower bud extract

Xilan flower bud extract is a functional compound extracted from the tender shoots (3-5 days after sowing) of Brassica oleracea var. italica, a cruciferous plant, through processes such as low-temperature water extraction, ethanol precipitation, or supercritical CO ₂ extraction. Its core feature is that the content of sulforaphane in radish is much higher than that in mature broccoli (10-100 times higher in tender shoots than in mature plants, up to 100-400mg/100g dry weight), while retaining auxiliary active substances such as flavonoids and vitamin C.

Compared with other vegetable extracts, the advantages of broccoli flower bud extract are:

Activity stability: Microcapsule embedding technology (such as β - cyclodextrin inclusion) can reduce the degradation of sulforaphane in high temperature and acidic environments (with a half-life extended to over 12 months);

Bioaccumulation rate: The precursor of sulforaphane (glucosinolate) in tender shoots is more easily converted into its active form under the action of gut microbiota, with an absorption rate more than 30% higher than that of mature vegetables.

2、 Chemical properties and mechanism of action of the core component sulforaphane

Radish sulforaphane (molecular formula C ₆ H ₁₁ NOS ₂) is a natural isothiocyanate produced by glucosinolates in broccoli flower buds under the action of myrosinase (or converted by gut microbiota). It has the following key characteristics:

1. Molecular level mechanism of action

Activation of Nrf2 pathway: By binding to Keap1 protein, the transcription factor Nrf2 is released, initiating the expression of antioxidant enzymes (such as glutathione transferase and superoxide dismutase) and enhancing cellular detoxification ability;

Inhibition of NF - κ B inflammatory pathway: Blocking the release of pro-inflammatory factors (TNF - α, IL-6) and reducing chronic inflammatory response;

Regulating the cell cycle: By inhibiting histone deacetylase (HDAC), promoting the expression of tumor suppressor genes (such as p53), and inhibiting cancer cell proliferation.

3、 The core health value of sulforaphane (based on clinical research)

1. Antioxidant and Detoxification Protection

Free radical scavenging: In vitro experiments have shown that sulforaphane at a concentration of 10 μ mol/L can scavenge OH free radicals with an efficiency of 82%, which is superior to vitamin C (65%);

Liver detoxification: Clinical studies (Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 2023) have shown that daily supplementation of 100mg of sulforaphane can increase liver glutathione levels by 40% after 4 weeks, enhancing the metabolic excretion of heavy metals such as lead and cadmium.

2. Anti inflammatory and immune regulation

Improvement of chronic inflammation: A trial targeting rheumatoid arthritis patients showed that daily intake of 80mg of sulforaphane reduced serum CRP (C-reactive protein) levels by 35% and joint swelling scores by 28% after 8 weeks;

Mucosal immune enhancement: It can promote the secretion of mucus by goblet cells in the intestinal mucosa, increase the integrity of the intestinal barrier, and reduce the risk of leaky gut.

3. Metabolic regulation and prevention of chronic diseases

Blood sugar control: The study of Diabetes Care in 2024 pointed out that taking 50mg sulforaphane before meals can reduce the peak blood sugar of patients with type 2 diabetes in 2 hours after meals by 15% and increase insulin sensitivity by 20%;

Blood lipid optimization: Intervention for individuals with high blood lipids showed that daily supplementation of 120mg of sulforaphane resulted in a 9% decrease in LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein) and a 12% increase in HDL-C (high-density lipoprotein) after 12 weeks.

4. Potential anti-cancer activity

Inhibition of cancer cell proliferation: in vitro studies found that sulforaphane had an IC50 (half inhibitory concentration) of 15 μ mol/L and 22 μ mol/L on prostate cancer and breast cancer cells, respectively, and played a role by inducing cell apoptosis and cycle arrest;

Reduce tumor risk: epidemiological studies show that the incidence rate of lung cancer and colorectal cancer in the population with high intake of broccoli buds is 20% -30% lower than that in the general population (after adjusting for other factors).

4、 Applicable scenarios and supplementary suggestions

1. Suitable population

Long term exposure to polluted environments (such as haze and heavy metal exposure);

Patients with chronic inflammation related diseases (such as metabolic syndrome, arthritis);

Middle aged and elderly population (used to delay oxidative aging and reduce the risk of chronic diseases).

2. Dosage and form

Recommended dosage: 50-100mg per day for healthy individuals, and 100-200mg for auxiliary interventions for chronic diseases (subject to medical advice);

Preferred form: formulations containing active myrosinase (capable of autonomously converting sulforaphane in gastric acid environment), or products compounded with probiotics (to enhance intestinal conversion efficiency).

3. Precautions

Individuals with hypothyroidism should be cautious (excessive intake may inhibit iodine absorption);

Pregnant and lactating women are recommended to take no more than 50mg per day (currently, there is a lack of high-dose safety data);

Avoid taking anticoagulant drugs (such as warfarin) together (which may enhance anticoagulant effects).

The core health value of Xilan flower bud extract lies in the multifunctional biological activity of sulforaphane, which covers functions from cellular level antioxidant detoxification to systemic level metabolic regulation. When choosing, attention should be paid to the activity stability and conversion efficiency of the formulation, scientifically supplementing it according to one's own health needs, and paying attention to the synergistic effect with daily diet (such as cruciferous vegetables), rather than replacing a balanced diet.