Broccoli sprouts in analgesia - preclinical in vivo studies

Broccoli is a rich source of health-promoting glucosinolates, phenolic compounds, minerals and vitamins, which might have potential to alleviate pain.

To explore the antinociceptive effects of a broccoli sprout aqueous extract (BSE) in experimental models of pain and an opioid mechanism.

the BSE was administered to mice and rats that were subjected to the writhing and formalin tests, respectively. Gastric damage or sedative-like response, as adverse effects observed in anti-inflammatory non-steroidal and opioid analgesic drugs, respectively, were also explored.

Antinociception, but not sedative or gastric injury response, was observed in a significant and dose-dependent manner with the BSE (50-500 mg kg^-1, i.p. and 500-2000 mg kg^-1, p.o.) in comparison to the control group; these effects resembled those observed with the analgesic tramadol (30 mg kg^-1, i.p.) in writhing and formalin assessments. Blockage of opioid receptors by naloxone (1 mg kg^-1, i.p.) produced partial inhibition of the antinociceptive effect of the BSE in both assays.

This study gives evidence of the potential activity of broccoli sprouts in pain therapy.