- Provides Concentrated Glucorapharin from Broccoli Seed Extract
- Supports Healthy Cell-Life Cycles
- Supports Phase II Detoxification Enzymes
- Supports Extended Antioxidant Activity
- Myrosinase Promotes Conversion of Glucoraphanin to Sulforaphane
OncoPLEX™ Plus Myrosinase features broccoli seed extract enhanced with myrosinase, the enzyme that promotes the conversion of naturally occurring glucoraphanin in broccoli to sulforaphane (SFN). A potent activator of antioxidant activity, healthy cell-life cycles, and the production of detoxification enzymes, SFN is linked to the many health benefits associated with cruciferous vegetables.*
Take one capsule daily, or use as directed by your healthcare professional.
Consult your healthcare professional before use. Individuals taking medication should discuss potential interactions with their healthcare professional.
There is a link between the regular intake of cruciferous vegetables and good
health. This connection can be attributed to a naturally occurring phytochemical
called glucoraphanin, which is found in plants from the Brassicaceae
family. Glucoraphanin is also known as sulforaphane glucosinolate (SGS), a
precursor for the biologically active yet highly reactive and unstable compound
isothiocyanate sulforaphane (SFN). The positive effects of SFN on antioxidant
activity, detoxification, cellular metabolism, and cell-life regulation have been
documented.*[1]
Manipulating foods containing glucoraphanin by physical processes, such
as chopping or chewing, triggers the natural enzymatic activity of the plant
enzyme myrosinase, which is responsible for the conversion of glucoraphanin
to SFN. Gastrointestinal microorganisms also produce SFN from glucoraphanin,
which is important as glucoraphanin from food is rarely affected by cooking;
however, myrosinase is denatured irrespective of cooking.[1-3] Metabolism of
SFN occurs via the mercapturic acid pathway, and metabolites yielded through
this process predominately appear in the urine as SFN N-acetyl-L-cysteine
(SFN-NAC), a standard measure of SFN bioavailability.*[2]
Mustard seeds are a naturally rich source of myrosinase, and mustard seed
powder has been shown in vitro to be capable of reinitiating SGS hydrolysis
to SFN. In a crossover study designed to investigate the bioavailability of
SFN, SFN-NAC was measured in the urine of healthy adults (N = 12) after
consumption of cooked broccoli with and without mustard powder. The addition
of mustard powder enhanced the formation of SFN metabolites, suggesting that
the presence of plant myrosinase is important for SFN bioavailability.*[2]
In a small study (N = 22), the bioavailability of SFN was evaluated through
urinary measurement of SFN metabolites after direct administration of
glucoraphanin from broccoli seed extract (BSE) or by coadministration of
glucoraphanin and the enzyme myrosinase. A range of doses and delivery
matrices (liquid bolus or gel capsules) were used. All preparations that included
myrosinase were 3- to 4-fold more bioavailable than the samples without
myrosinase, which is consistent with previously published data. Prehydrolyzed
BSE in juice containing vitamin C provided similar bioavailability to the gel
capsules.*[1]
Antioxidant and Detoxification Support
Sulforaphane is an effective, long-acting, indirect antioxidant and significant
inducer of phase II detoxification enzymes.[2] Mechanistically, it stimulates
the expression of critical enzymes (via the KEAP1/Nrf2/ARE pathways),
which supports antioxidant activity, redox cycling, and phase II detoxification.
The activation of transcription factor Nrf2 results in increased output of
enzymes (primarily glutathione and superoxide dismutase) that can extend
antioxidant activity longer than direct antioxidants, such as vitamins C, E,
and beta-carotene. The activation of Nrf2 also regulates the production of
detoxification enzymes, including glutathione S-transferase, and downregulates
inflammatory signaling factors, such as NF-κB. Additionally, the antioxidant
enzymes generated are thought to participate in the recycling and maintenance
of vitamins A, C, and E.[3,4] In turn, the role of vitamin C in the activation of
myrosinase could be the basis of a regulation mechanism for myrosinase
activity contributing to the redox potential in cells.*[4,5]
Support for Cellular Health and Cell-Life Cycles
Sulforaphane is believed to play a multidimensional cytoprotective role,
maintain cellular health, support healthy cell-life cycles, and promote a healthy
inflammatory response.[6] Coupled with an inhibitory effect on certain phase I
enzymes, the induction of phase II enzymes and their effect on Nrf2 pathways
are considered paramount to SFN’s protective effect on cells.*[7-9]
The mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and role
of SFN in health maintenance have been widely examined in animal, in vitro,
and in vivo clinical trials.[9] Owing to the limited conversion of glucoraphanin
to SFN in the absence of exogenous myrosinase, studies have trended toward
higher dosing of glucoraphanin or glucoraphanin combined with myrosinase.
When administered in the glucoraphanin form alone, dosing is complicated by
the variance in bioavailability. However, the addition of myrosinase has been
demonstrated to enhance the absorption of glucoraphanin by up to 40%.[1,9]
The optimal ratio of glucoraphanin to myrosinase to maximize the conversion of
glucoraphanin to SFN is an area of ongoing research. Estimates are often based
on the naturally occurring ratio in broccoli seeds and sprouts (glucoraphanin) to
mustard seed powder (myrosinase), which is approximately 4:1.*[1]
OncoPLEX™ Plus Myrosinase provides a 4:1 ratio of glucoraphanin to
myrosinase. As a cofactor for the myrosinase enzyme,[5] vitamin C is included
for maximum bioavailability.*
