Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.
Search
Close this search box.

A preclinical study: Sulfodyne® multi-target mode of action against viral infection

These results confirm that Sulfodyne® plays a role in viral infection, particularly in the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection.

Since the COVID-19 health crisis and the growing emphasis on preventive health care, boosting immunity has become one of consumers’ top concerns, with 39% of consumers saying they take supplements to boost their immunity (FMCG Gurus, January 2022).

Sulfodyne®, a broccoli seed extract standardised and stabilised at 5% active and natural sulforaphane, has been the subject of a preclinical in vitro and in vivo study to investigate the effects on the symptoms associated with SARS-CoV-2 virus infection and the mechanisms involved. The study demonstrates the link between activation of the Nrf2 pathway and the associated beneficial effects on viral symptoms.

These results confirm that Sulfodyne® plays a role in viral infection, particularly in the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 virus infection, through a multi-target mode of action:

Antiviral activity: During a viral infection, viral replication and viral activity are key to its spread. Sulfodyne® shows potent antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 in intestinal epithelial cells (Calu-3 and CaCo-2) infected with the virus and then treated with Sulfodyne® (equivalent to 14 μM sulforaphane). Sulfodyne® also inhibited virus replication in these two cell models.

Activation of Nrf2 pathway expression: The NrF2 transcription factor controls the expression of antioxidant and cytoprotective genes, in particular the phase II enzymes involved in the body’s detoxification process. These genes are silenced during viral infection by inhibition of the Nrf2 pathway. In vitro results on intestinal epithelial cells (Calu-3) infected with SARS-CoV-2 and then treated with Sulfodyne® (equivalent to 14μM sulforaphane) show that Sulfodyne® restores and activates the expression of these antioxidant and cytoprotective genes by activating the NRf2 pathway, thereby regulating redox homeostasis and reducing oxidative stress induced by viral infection.

Immunomodulatory activity: The results of this preclinical study also show that Sulfodyne® has immunomodulatory activity during viral infection. During an infection, the immune system is mobilised to control the infection and repair damaged tissue. This activation is enabled by the release of pro-inflammatory mediators. However, this inflammatory state can become uncontrolled and worsen, causing symptoms such as fever, pain and fatigue that limit recovery. In vitro results on lung epithelial cells (Calu-3) infected with SARS-CoV-2 and then treated with Sulfodyne® (equivalent to 14μM sulforaphane) show that Sulfodyne® acts as an immunomodulator by suppressing the genes involved in the anti-inflammatory process that are over-expressed during viral infection, thereby regulating inflammation, reducing viral symptoms and improving recovery.

These in vitro results were confirmed by in vivo results showing that Sulfodyne® provided overall protection against SARS-CoV-2 infection:

The effects of Sulfodyne® were investigated in hamsters infected with SARS-CoV-2. The hamsters were treated orally with Sulfodyne® (600 mg/kg) 8 hours after intranasal inoculation with SARS-CoV-2 and twice daily for 3 days. Sulfodyne® did not reduce lung viral load but prevented weight loss after SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggesting a protective role of SULFODYNE® against pathological effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The effects of Sulfodyne® (600 mg/kg intraperitoneally twice daily, one day before and 14 days after infection) were also tested in a specific mouse model of severe symptoms associated with COVID-19 (infection with the delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 from K18-hACE2 transgenic mice). Treatment with Sulfodyne® resulted in a significant reduction in pulmonary viral load, suggesting that Sulfodyne® reduced early replication of SARS-CoV-2 in the lung. Indeed, this model showed a severe course of disease with a high mortality rate in the placebo group. Sulfodyne® supplementation significantly reduced weight loss and early clinical symptoms, leading to improved survival compared to placebo.

These results suggest that Sulfodyne® may enhance the antiviral response in the early stages of SARS CoV-2 infection and that Sulfodyne® may play a protective role in reducing the inflammatory response in the later stages of infection.

Overall, these results confirm the benefits of the Sulfodyne® health ingredient in the area of immunity, thanks to its multiple mechanisms of action (antiviral activity, modulator of the NrF2 pathway, immunomodulatory activity), which help to reduce the symptoms of viral infections and thus improve recovery. These results are in line with previous publications on the benefits of sulforaphane in various models of viral infection, particularly influenza (Kouno et al., 2023; Ordonez et al., 2021; Kesic et al., 2011).


References:

Romeo et al., 2024: Multiple Mechanisms of Action of Sulfodyne®, a Natural Antioxidant, against Pathogenic Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Kouno et al., 2023: Effects of sulforaphane glucosinolates from broccoli seed extract on the immune system of healthy Japanese adults, Clinical study

Ordonez et al., 2021: Sulforaphane exhibits antiviral activity against pandemic SARS-CoV-2 and seasonal HCoV-OC43 coronaviruses in vitro and in mice

Share the Post:

Related Posts