Sulfodyne® Sulforaphane as an antiviral and anti-inflammatory

by Kunal K May 27, 2025

Sulfodyne®: Natural Antiviral Properties Against SARS-CoV-2

Recent preclinical studies have shed light on the multifaceted antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties of Sulfodyne®, a stabilized broccoli seed extract standardized to 5% active sulforaphane. These findings underscore its potential as a therapeutic agent against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Antiviral Activity

In vitro experiments demonstrated that Sulfodyne® effectively inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in human pulmonary (Calu-3) and colonic (Caco-2) epithelial cells. Notably, its antiviral efficacy surpasses that of other NRF2 activators like dimethyl fumarate (DMF) and CDDO. This inhibition is associated with the modulation of metabolic pathways, including the suppression of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mTOR signaling, both of which are activated during SARS-CoV-2 infection.

What this means: Sulfodyne® can effectively reduce the replication of the COVID-19 virus in human lung and gut cells, potentially more so than some other treatments.

Immunomodulatory and Anti-inflammatory Effects

Sulfodyne® exhibits significant immunomodulatory effects by attenuating the inflammatory responses induced by SARS-CoV-2. It achieves this by inhibiting the delayed induction of interferon-beta (IFN-β) and type I interferon-stimulated genes in infected epithelial cells. Additionally, Sulfodyne® reduces the activation of human bystander monocytes, thereby mitigating the cytokine storm often associated with severe COVID-19 cases.

What this means: Sulfodyne® helps control the body's immune response to COVID-19, potentially preventing the severe inflammation that can cause complications.

In Vivo Efficacy

Animal studies further corroborate Sulfodyne®'s protective role against SARS-CoV-2. In K18-hACE2 transgenic mice infected with the virus, Sulfodyne® treatment resulted in a significant reduction in pulmonary viral load and disease severity. This effect is attributed to the compound's ability to fine-tune IFN-β levels, enhancing early antiviral responses while curbing excessive inflammation in later stages of infection.

What this means: In mice, Sulfodyne® reduced both the amount of virus in the lungs and the severity of illness, suggesting it could help manage COVID-19 symptoms.

In Syrian golden hamsters, although Sulfodyne® did not significantly reduce lung viral load, it prevented weight loss post-infection, suggesting a protective role against the pathological effects of SARS-CoV-2.

What this means: Even when it didn't lower virus levels, Sulfodyne® helped animals maintain weight during infection, indicating it may reduce illness severity.

Mechanistic Insights

The antiviral activity of Sulfodyne® is not solely dependent on NRF2 activation. While Sulfodyne® activates the NRF2 pathway, leading to the expression of antioxidant and cytoprotective genes, its antiviral effects are also associated with the inhibition of ER stress and mTOR signaling pathways. These pathways are crucial for viral protein translation and replication, and their inhibition disrupts the viral life cycle.

What this means: Sulfodyne® works through multiple mechanisms, not just boosting antioxidants but also blocking processes the virus uses to multiply.

Conclusion

Collectively, these findings position Sulfodyne® as a promising natural therapeutic agent with multifaceted mechanisms of action against SARS-CoV-2. Its ability to inhibit viral replication, modulate immune responses, and reduce inflammation highlights its potential in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19. Further clinical studies are warranted to validate these preclinical results and explore its applicability in human health.

What this means: Sulfodyne® Broccoli Seed Extract shows promise as a natural treatment for COVID-19, but more research is needed to confirm its effectiveness in people.

References

Romeo, P.-H., Conquet, L., Messiaen, S., Pascal, Q., Moreno, S. G., et al. (2024). Multiple Mechanisms of Action of Sulfodyne®, a Natural Antioxidant, against Pathogenic Effects of SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Antioxidants, 13(9), 1083. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/13/9/1083
Sulfodyne® multi-target mode of action against viral infection. (2025, January 16). NMC Magazine. https://nmc-magazine.com/a-preclinical-study-sulfodyne-multi-target-mode-of-action-against-viral-infection/
Study finds SULFODYNE aids recovery from viral infection. (2025, February 12). New Protein. https://www.newprotein.net/news/preclinical-study-confirms-multi-target-mode-of-action-of-sulfodyne-against-viral-infection
Broccoli seed extract, SULFODYNE, exhibits an antiviral effect in new preclinical study. (2025, January 6). Nutraceutical Business Review. https://nutraceuticalbusinessreview.com/ingood-by-olga-sulfodyne-broccoli-seed-extract-as-an-antiviral