Potential role of organic sulfur compounds from Allium species in cancer prevention and therapy

Abstract

Phytochemical research has revealed that organic sulfur-containing compounds (OSCs) from Allium species exert biological effects, that might be beneficial in the treatment or prevention of a range of diseases, such as infections, cardiovascular and metabolic affections, cancers and related indispositions. Focusing physiological activities of these compounds in the context of cancer, it became clear from both epidemiological studies in men and experimental studies in diverse models, that the OSCs have a strong potential to prevent or to treat cancers even with selectivity against non-neoplastic cells. Though underlying mechanisms are not yet fully understood, several parts of their modes and mechanisms of action were elucidated: Pivotal molecular targets of as well chemoprevention as chemotherapy are metabolic, transporter or repair enzymes strongly affecting cell death, proliferation and formation of metastases. Accordingly effects are not restricted to the run of cell death programs, but they moreover comprise the strongly interdepending immune and inflammatory systems. Respectively, several hypotheses exist which are based on chemical properties of sulfur as the ''pharmacophor'' of the compounds appearing in up to ten different oxidation states (-2 to ?6). Hence compounds can undergo redox-reactions and electrostatic interactions, making reactive oxygen species (ROS) a key feature of their mechanisms of action.

Antiproliferative effect of natural tetrasulfides in human breast cancer cells is mediated through the inhibition of the cell division cycle 25 phosphatases

“…Recent studies have confirmed that various organic sulfur compounds exhibit anticancer properties (22) and their efficiency was demonstrated in vitro and in vivo on various cancer types (5-8,23). These compounds appear to target different signaling pathways to inhibit cancer cell proliferation.…”

Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of <i>Allium roseum</i> L. var. grandiflorum Briq. Essential Oil

“…Many of Allium organo-sulfurous compounds have been already identified to have anti-oxidant defense mechanisms, which are mainly mediated by thiols together with their corresponding disulfides, making up an intracellular redox-buffer 26 . Alliin isolated from A. sativum have been reported to have potent reducing abilities when examined by the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl DPPH stable free radical scavenging assay.…”

“…The high content of organo-sulphur compounds in this essential oil can explain the antioxidant activity of this essential oil but more studies were needed to elucidate mechanisms. A promising strategy for targeting redox status of the cells was to use readily available natural substances from Allium vegetables food 2,26 .…”

Spices as an Alternative Therapy for Cancer Treatment

“…104 Garlic and related allyl sulfur compounds block tumors in the colon, lung, breast, liver and tumor proliferation/apoptosis. 105,106,107,108,109 Alterations in glutathione: oxidized glutathione ratios, shift in sulfhydryl groups and resultant changes in cellular redox status may be involved in some of the phenotypic changes caused by allyl sulfur compounds and it may also cause hyper phosphorylation of specific cell cycle proteins and histone hyperacetylation that has correlation with suppression tumor cell proliferation. 110,111 The anticancer effect of diallyltrisulfide in human colon cancer cells HCT-15 and DLD-1 was due to disrupted microtubule network formation of the cells 112 (Milner et al, 2009).…”