Efficacy and safety of sulforaphane in schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Kassar O, M Mansour ME, Farag N, Selim A, Kewiaa Y, Yousef O, Hassan O
BMC psychiatry · 2 citations
Review labels
Neutral facts our review recorded about how this study was done. They describe method, never whether we like the result.
How it was studied
- Design
- Meta-analysis (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
- Intake measured by
- Not stated
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Funding not disclosed
Publication
- Published
- 2025-11-03 · BMC Psychiatry · vol. 25 · issue 1 · p. 1045
- Publisher
- BioMed Central
- Cited
- 1 citation · more than 35% of similar papers · 0.1× the field average
- References
- 39 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY-NC-ND
- Research areas
- Genomics, phytochemicals, and oxidative stress · Tryptophan and brain disorders · Curcumin's Biomedical Applications
- Keywords
- Sulforaphane, Randomized controlled trial, Meta-analysis, MEDLINE, Clinical trial
- MeSH
- humans, isothiocyanates, sulfoxides, schizophrenia, randomized controlled trials as topic
7 authors
From EG, SY, GB
- Omar KassarAlexandria University
- Mohamed Ezzat M. MansourZagazig University
- Noha E. FaragSuez University
- Abdullah SelimAlexandria University
- Yasser KewiaaAlexandria University
- Obai Yousef · correspondingLatakia University
Abstract
Introduction
Sulforaphane, an isothiocyanate derived from cruciferous vegetables (e.g., broccoli sprouts), has been explored for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the therapeutic potentials of sulforaphane in schizophrenia.
Methods
We searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central for studies from inception to April 2025. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy of sulforaphane in schizophrenia. The primary outcomes were changes in the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total and its subscales. Secondary outcomes included cognitive measures, metabolic markers, and safety.
Results
Four RCTs with 369 schizophrenia patients were included. Sulforaphane did not significantly improve PANSS total or positive symptom scores at the latest follow-up (ranging from 24 weeks to 18 weeks) or at a consistent 12-week time point. However, a modest improvement in negative symptoms was found at 12 week- time point (MD= -1.06; 95% CI: -1.95 to -0.16; p = 0.02), which was not maintained at the latest follow-up. General psychopathology scores improved significantly (MD= -1.5; 95% CI: -2.78 to -0.23; p = 0.02). No cognitive benefits were observed. Sulforaphane led to significant reductions in metabolic markers, including LDL, triglycerides, and cholesterol. Discontinuation rates were lower in the sulforaphane group (RR = 0.68; 95% CI: 0.49 to 0.95; p = 0.02).
Conclusion
The study provides initial insights into sulforaphane's potential therapeutic effects in schizophrenia, showing modest improvements in general psychopathology and negative symptoms, with favorable metabolic changes and lower discontinuation rates. Due to limited data and heterogeneity, the study findings should be interpreted with caution.
Clinical trial number
Not applicable.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY-NC-ND).
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