No abstract

Garlic (Allium sativum) from the family Amaryllidaceae is widely used in culinary and is reported to have potential anticancer, anti-diabetic, antimicrobial and cardio protective activities. Allium sativum agglutinin (ASA) is a bulb-type lectin (BTL) domain containing lectin isolated from garlic and has been studied for its various biological functions. Previous studies have reported anti-cancer effects of ASA on histiocytic lymphoma (U937), promyeolcytic leukemia (HL60) and oral cancer (KB). Methods: In this study, we have purified and characterized ASA and evaluated it for its anticancer effects on other cancer cell lines. MTT assay and FACS analysis was done to corroborate the anticancer findings against cervical (HeLa) and lung cancer (A549) cell lines. Results: IC50 value of 37µg/ml in HeLa and a weak activity (26.4±1.9% cellular inhibition at 100µg/ml treatment) in A549 was found in MTT assay. FACS analysis further corroborated these findings and showed the apoptotic effects of ASA in these cell lines. Conclusion: Anticancer activity for members of bulb-type lectin (BTL) domain containing lectins has been widely reported and we hope our study forms a basis for the development of ASA as a therapeutic agent.