Background & Objective: Antioxidants play a crucial role in mitigating ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) induced tissue injury. Comparing the therapeutic efficacy of natural and synthetic antioxidants holds substantial clinical importance. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the protective effects of broccoli extract and vitamin C against hepatic and renal I/R injury in Wistar rats.
 Materials & Methods: Bioactive compounds in broccoli extract were identified by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Hepatic and renal I/R models were established in rats and divided into four groups per organ (n = 8): control, I/R-only, I/R with broccoli extract pretreatment, and I/R with vitamin C pretreatment. Serum liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP) and renal function markers (creatinine, urea) were measured. Tissue oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, MDA), antioxidant enzyme activities (catalase and superoxide dismutase), and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) were assessed. Histopathological analyses were performed on stained tissue sections.
Results:  GC–MS analysis identified thymol and sulforaphane as the major antioxidant components of broccoli extract. I/R injury significantly increased serum AST and ALT levels in the liver and elevated creatinine and urea levels in the kidney. Pretreatment with broccoli extract or vitamin C significantly attenuated these changes. Treated groups showed increased antioxidant enzyme activities and reduced MDA levels compared with I/R-only groups. IL-6 and TNF-α expression was more pronounced in renal than hepatic tissues. Histopathological findings confirmed reduced tissue damage and inflammation following antioxidant pretreatment.
Conclusion:  Broccoli extract provided greater protection than vitamin C, particularly against hepatic I/R injury, likely due to its combined antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, supporting its potential as a natural therapeutic agent.