Medicinal uses and health benefits of Broccoli MCQs With Answer

Introduction

Broccoli is a nutrient-dense cruciferous vegetable with well-documented medicinal uses and health benefits that are highly relevant to B. Pharm students. Rich in sulforaphane, glucoraphanin, indole-3-carbinol, vitamins C and K, fiber, and carotenoids, broccoli exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, cardioprotective, and hepatoprotective activities. Understanding its bioactive phytochemicals, mechanisms such as Nrf2 activation and phase II enzyme induction, effects of cooking and myrosinase-mediated conversion, clinical evidence, dosage forms (sprouts, extracts), safety, and drug–nutrient interactions is essential for future pharmacists. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Which broccoli compound is primarily responsible for activating the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway?

• Sulforaphane
• Vitamin K
• Vitamin C
• Dietary fiber

Correct Answer: Sulforaphane

Q2. Glucoraphanin in broccoli is converted to sulforaphane by which enzyme?

• Peroxidase
• Myrosinase
• Glucuronidase
• Amylase

Correct Answer: Myrosinase

Q3. Which form of broccoli contains the highest concentration of glucoraphanin per gram?

• Cooked florets
• Broccoli sprouts
• Canned broccoli
• Broccoli stems

Correct Answer: Broccoli sprouts

Q4. Excessive intake of raw broccoli may interfere with which physiological process due to high vitamin K?

• Thyroid hormone synthesis
• Blood coagulation
• Renal filtration
• Gastric acid secretion

Correct Answer: Blood coagulation

Q5. Which of the following mechanisms is associated with sulforaphane’s anticancer effect?

• Inhibition of phase II detoxifying enzymes
• Activation of histone deacetylases (HDACs)
• Induction of apoptosis and HDAC inhibition
• Direct DNA alkylation

Correct Answer: Induction of apoptosis and HDAC inhibition

Q6. How does cooking affect the formation of sulforaphane from broccoli?

• High-temperature boiling always increases sulforaphane
• Steaming preserves myrosinase and increases sulforaphane
• Microwaving for long periods produces the most sulforaphane
• All cooking methods equally preserve sulforaphane

Correct Answer: Steaming preserves myrosinase and increases sulforaphane

Q7. Indole-3-carbinol (I3C) from broccoli primarily influences which metabolic pathway?

• Estrogen metabolism
• Cholesterol biosynthesis
• Urea cycle
• Insulin signaling

Correct Answer: Estrogen metabolism

Q8. Which biomarker is commonly measured in clinical studies to assess broccoli-derived sulforaphane bioactivity?

• Plasma LDL levels
• Urinary isothiocyanate metabolites
• Serum amylase
• Fasting glucose

Correct Answer: Urinary isothiocyanate metabolites

Q9. Broccoli consumption exerts cardioprotective effects mainly due to:

• High sodium content
• Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals
• High saturated fat content
• Direct ACE inhibition similar to drugs

Correct Answer: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals

Q10. Which patient population should use caution with broccoli supplements because of potential interactions with anticoagulant therapy?

• Patients on beta blockers
• Patients on warfarin
• Patients on insulin
• Patients on proton pump inhibitors

Correct Answer: Patients on warfarin

Q11. Sulforaphane modulates drug-metabolizing enzymes by upregulating which enzyme class?

• Phase I CYP450 enzymes exclusively
• Phase II detoxifying enzymes (e.g., GST)
• Monoamine oxidases
• Renal transporters only

Correct Answer: Phase II detoxifying enzymes (e.g., GST)

Q12. Which analytical method is commonly used to quantify glucoraphanin and sulforaphane in broccoli extracts?

• UV-visible colorimetry without separation
• High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)
• Light microscopy
• Gravimetric analysis

Correct Answer: High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)

Q13. Which adverse effect is most likely with very high intake of broccoli sprout extracts?

• Hyperkalemia
• Gastrointestinal upset and flatulence
• Severe hypoglycemia
• Acute renal failure

Correct Answer: Gastrointestinal upset and flatulence

Q14. Which statement about broccoli-derived supplements versus whole broccoli is correct?

• Supplements always provide identical benefits to whole food
• Whole broccoli provides fiber and a complex matrix that may enhance effect
• Supplements contain more fiber than whole broccoli
• Whole broccoli has no bioactive sulforaphane

Correct Answer: Whole broccoli provides fiber and a complex matrix that may enhance effect

Q15. Which pathway is implicated in broccoli’s hepatoprotective action?

• Inhibition of glutathione synthesis
• Activation of Nrf2 and upregulation of phase II enzymes
• Increase in hepatic lipid peroxidation
• Suppression of bile flow

Correct Answer: Activation of Nrf2 and upregulation of phase II enzymes

Q16. Which processing method reduces myrosinase activity and thus may lower sulforaphane formation?

• Light steaming
• High-temperature prolonged boiling
• Chopping and resting before cooking
• Consuming raw immediately after chopping

Correct Answer: High-temperature prolonged boiling

Q17. Diindolylmethane (DIM) produced from I3C affects cancer risk by modulating:

• Androgen receptor signaling only
• Estrogen receptor signaling and CYP-mediated estrogen metabolism
• Renal ion transport
• Pancreatic enzyme secretion

Correct Answer: Estrogen receptor signaling and CYP-mediated estrogen metabolism

Q18. Which dosing form is most likely used in clinical trials to deliver standardized sulforaphane?

• Unstandardized frozen florets
• Sulforaphane-rich extract or standardized supplement
• Raw whole broccoli without analysis
• Home-cooked recipes

Correct Answer: Sulforaphane-rich extract or standardized supplement

Q19. Which laboratory assay would assess broccoli extract antioxidant capacity in vitro?

• ELISA for insulin
• DPPH radical scavenging assay
• Hemagglutination test

Correct Answer: DPPH radical scavenging assay

Q20. Broccoli phytochemicals can modulate gut microbiota; which outcome is plausible?

• Complete sterilization of gut flora
• Promotion of beneficial bacteria and increased production of short-chain fatty acids
• Instant antibiotic resistance gene transfer
• Elimination of fiber-fermenting species

Correct Answer: Promotion of beneficial bacteria and increased production of short-chain fatty acids

Q21. Which patient advice improves sulforaphane availability when consuming broccoli?

• Boil for 30 minutes before eating
• Eat raw or lightly steamed broccoli, or add powdered myrosinase source
• Freeze for 24 hours then thaw before eating
• Always cook with high oil content to enhance myrosinase

Correct Answer: Eat raw or lightly steamed broccoli, or add powdered myrosinase source

Q22. Which of the following is a plausible pharmacokinetic consideration for sulforaphane?

• It is eliminated solely by pulmonary exhalation
• It undergoes glutathione conjugation and is excreted as mercapturic acids
• It has complete oral bioavailability without metabolism
• It accumulates long-term in adipose tissue

Correct Answer: It undergoes glutathione conjugation and is excreted as mercapturic acids

Q23. Which clinical outcome has limited but promising evidence from broccoli sprout interventions?

• Reversal of type 1 diabetes
• Reduction of biomarkers of oxidative stress and improved detoxification
• Curing metastatic cancer
• Instant weight loss

Correct Answer: Reduction of biomarkers of oxidative stress and improved detoxification

Q24. Which safety concern is relevant with concentrated broccoli sprout supplements?

• Risk of vitamin A toxicity
• Contamination with heavy metals and microbial load if not standardized
• Guaranteed absence of interactions with drugs
• High iodine content causing hyperthyroidism

Correct Answer: Contamination with heavy metals and microbial load if not standardized

Q25. Broccoli’s anti-inflammatory effects are partly due to inhibition of which mediators?

• Cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-alpha
• Hemoglobin synthesis
• Acetylcholine release in CNS only
• Gastrin secretion

Correct Answer: Cytokines such as IL-6 and TNF-alpha

Q26. For standardizing a broccoli extract, which marker compound is most appropriate?

• Cellulose content
• Glucoraphanin or sulforaphane content
• Water content only

Correct Answer: Glucoraphanin or sulforaphane content

Q27. Broccoli intake may influence drug metabolism by affecting which cytochrome P450 enzymes?

• No enzymes are affected
• Certain CYPs such as CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 may be modulated
• Only bacterial enzymes in the gut
• All CYPs are irreversibly inhibited

Correct Answer: Certain CYPs such as CYP1A2 and CYP2E1 may be modulated

Q28. Which research design is best to test clinical efficacy of a broccoli-derived supplement?

• Case report only
• Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
• Uncontrolled observational note
• In vitro cell culture alone without human subjects

Correct Answer: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Q29. Which molecular effect of sulforaphane can contribute to chemoprevention?

• Inhibition of DNA repair enzymes only
• Induction of phase II enzymes and enhancement of carcinogen detoxification
• Permanent suppression of immune surveillance
• Direct increase in oncogene expression

Correct Answer: Induction of phase II enzymes and enhancement of carcinogen detoxification

Q30. Which practical pharmacy counseling point is appropriate for patients using broccoli supplements?

• Advise no need to report supplement use to prescribers
• Discuss possible interactions (e.g., warfarin), recommend standardized products and monitor therapy
• Recommend unlimited doses since it is natural
• Suggest stopping all prescription drugs while taking supplements

Correct Answer: Discuss possible interactions (e.g., warfarin), recommend standardized products and monitor therapy

G S Sachin

I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.

Mail- Sachin@pharmacyfreak.com