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).