Prevailing Knowledge on the Bioavailability and Biological Activities of Sulphur Compounds from Alliums: A Potential Drug Candidate

Abstract

Allium sativum (garlic) is widely known and is consumed as a natural prophylactic worldwide. It produces more than 200 identified chemical compounds, with more than 20 different kinds of sulfide compounds. The sulfide compounds particularly are proven to contribute to its various biological roles and pharmacological properties such as antimicrobial, antithrombotic, hypoglycemic, antitumour, and hypolipidemic. Therefore, it is often referred as disease-preventive food. Sulphur-containing compounds from A. sativum are derivatives of S-alkenyl-l-cysteine sulfoxides, ajoene molecules, thiosulfinates, sulfides, and S-allylcysteine. This review presents an overview of the water-soluble and oil-soluble sulphur based phytochemical compounds present in garlic, highlighting their mechanism of action in treating various health conditions. However, its role as a therapeutic agent should be extensively studied as it depends on factors such as the effective dosage and the suitable method of preparation.

Allium-Derived Compound Propyl Propane Thiosulfonate (PTSO) Attenuates Metabolic Alterations in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet through Its Anti-Inflammatory and Prebiotic Properties

“…Specifically, garlic is an excellent source of beneficial minerals, such as selenium, while onions are rich in flavonoids, such as quercetin, which is widely known for its biological properties [ 3 ]. Nevertheless, the most important bioactive compounds in the Alliaceae family are organosulfur compounds, mainly allyl cysteine derivatives, S-alk(en)yl-L-cysteine sulfoxides, thiosulfinates, thiosulfonates and sulfides, which are biosynthesized during tissue damage and confer useful biological properties, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective and neuroprotective properties [ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. In fact, it is well described that these plants have cardioprotective effects that are associated with a positive effect on obesity and its associated metabolic disorders, including dyslipidemia, mild hypertension, hyperlipidemia, high blood glucose levels, impaired insulin sensitivity and liver lipotoxicity [ 6 ].…”

Beneficial Effects of Organosulfur Compounds from Allium cepa on Gut Health: A Systematic Review

“…OSCs are the most important class of bioactive compounds in Alliaceae, which are synthesized during tissue damage in Allium as part of the defence mechanism against foreign aggressions. OSCs confer biological properties that are beneficial for health, such as antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiprotozoal, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antioxidant, antimutagenic, hepatoprotective or neuroprotective activities, among others [52][53][54][55][56][57][58]. The main OSCs in the genus Allium include the precursors S-alk(en)yl-L-cysteine sulphoxides (ACSO), whose transformation leads to thiosulfinates, thiosulfonates and sulfides in variable amounts and types.…”

Effects of Allium sativum Stem Extract on Growth and Migration in Melanoma Cells through Inhibition of VEGF, MMP-2, and MMP-9 Genes Expression

“…For example, previous studies on anticancer drugs showed that garlic has reduced the proliferation of various types of cancer, such as skin, colon, stomach, lungs, breast, and prostate, by reducing carcinogenesis, including mutations, cell proliferation, and differentiation [ 31 ]. Compounds contained in garlic, including allicin, ajoene, diallyl sulfide, diallyl disulfide, and diallyl trisulfide contribute to the distinct flavors and odors and the prevention of various diseases and cancers [ 32 ]. However, there have been no studies on the analysis of bioactive compounds in A. sativum stem and their effects on cancer growth and metastasis, so there is a high need for analyzing the ingredients of A. sativum stem and evaluation of anticancer effects.…”