Sulforaphane: the most potent natural Nrf2 activator
A key mechanism of action of sulforaphane involves activation of the
Nrf2-Keap1 signalling pathway.32 Sulforaphane is the
most effective natural activator of the Nrf2 pathway, and Nrf2
expression and function is vital for sulforaphane-mediated
action.33,34 It has been proposed that SARS-CoV-2
downregulates ACE2 and that there is an increased insulin resistance
associated with oxidative stress through the AT1R
pathway. Cruciferous vegetables release glucoraphanin, converted by the
plant or by the gut microbiome, into sulforaphane which activates Nrf2
and subsequently reduces insulin intolerance (Figure 2).