The effect of sulforaphane against glutamate-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in SH-SY5Y cells

Glutamate (GLT) induced excitotoxicity plays a central role in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases through mechanisms involving oxidative stress and inflammation. Sulforaphane (SFN), a natural isothiocyanate derived from cruciferous vegetables, has demonstrated neuroprotective effects. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of SFN against glutamate-induced oxidative stress and inflammation in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. SH-SY5Y cells were divided into four experimental groups: (1) Control, (2) SFN (5 µM SFN for 30 min), (3) GLT (10 mM glutamate for 24 h), and (4) GLT + SFN (pre-treatment with SFN followed by glutamate exposure). TAS and TOS levels, and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression (TNF-α and IL-1β) were evaluated using standard biochemical assays. GLT exposure significantly increased TOS and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, reducing TAS levels. Pretreatment with SFN reduced the levels of TOS and inflammatory markers compared to the GLT group, and increased the levels of TAS.

SFN exerts a protective effect against GLT-induced cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y cells, likely through its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties. These findings suggest that SFN may have therapeutic potential in neurodegenerative disease models.