• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.191-196
• /
• 2002

The effect of allicin, the major component of garlic (Allium sativum), on the gene expression profiles of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors was analyzed. DNA microarray which can detect expression signal of 862 genes revealed that allicin induced the expression of cytokine, chemokine, and immune-related genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In contrast, allicin repressed the expression of adaptive immune-related genes, which are expressed in T helper 1 Iymphocytes. Simultaneous inhibitory and stimulatory effects of allicin were found on inflammatory cells. It is likely that allicin down-regulated the expression of specific genes that were previously up-regulated in resting cells, suggesting a new mechanism by which they exert positive and negative effect. Considering the broad and renewed interest in allicin, the profiles we describe here will be useful in designing more specific and efficient treatment strategies.

• Nutritional Sciences
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.23-27
• /
• 2005

The major garlic component, Allicin [diallylthiosulfinate, or (R, S)-diallyldissulfid-S-oxide] is known for its medicinal effects, such as antihypertensive activity, microbicidal activity, and antitumor activity. Allicin and diallyldisulfide, which is a converted form of allicin, inhibited the cholesterol level in hepatocytes, in vivo and in vitro. The metabolism of allicin reportedly occurs in the microsomes of hepatocytes, predominantly with the contribution of cytochrome P-450. However, little is known about how allicin affects the genes involved in the activity of hepatocytes in vivo. In the present study, we used the short-term intravenous injection of allicin to examine the in vivo genetic profile of hepatocytes. Allicin up-regulate ten genes in the hepatocytes. For example, the interferon regulator 1 (IRF-I), the wingless-related MMTV (mouse mammary tumor virus) integration site 4 (wnt-4), and the fatty acid binding protein 1. However, allicin down-regulated three genes: namely, glutathione S-transferase mu6, a-2-HS glycoprotein, and the corticosteroid binding globulin of hepatocytes. The up-regulated wnt-4, IRF-1, and mannose binding lectin genes can enhance the growth factors, cytokines, transcription activators and repressors that are involved in the immune defense mechanism. These primary data, which were generated with the aid of the Atlas Plastic Mouse 5 K Microarray, help to explain the mechanism which enables allicin to act as a therapeutic agent, to enhance immunity, and to prevent cancer. The data suggest that these benefits of allicin are partly caused by the up-regulated or down-regulated gene profiles of hepatocytes. To evaluate the genetic profile in more detail, we need to use a more extensive mouse genome array.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.472-480
• /
• 1994

Allicin was synthesized for the purpose of identification an dquantitation of a pharmaceutical dosage form in soft capsules. The identified transformed products fro allicin were dially disulfide , 3-vinyl-[4H]-1, 2-dithiin and 2-vinyl-[4H]-1, 3-dithiin in gas chromatrographic conditions and dially disulfide and ajoene in HPLC. Allicin is thermally unstable , it may be completely decomposed to vinyl dithiin isomers in GC conditions. For that reason, allicin was not found directly in the pharmaceutical dosage forms. In HPLC conditions, mobile phase was methanol /water containing 0.1% formic acid(65/35) and column was $\mu$-Bondapak C18. Detection wa-velength was 254nm. The retention time of allicin was 6.98min. The calibration ranger for allicin was 10 $\mu\textrm{g}$/ml to 200$\mu\textrm{g}$/ml and correlation coefficient(r) was 0.987.

• Microbiology and Biotechnology Letters
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.442-447
• /
• 2010

We investigated anti-cancer and anti-proliferative activity of allicin and analyzed global gene expression changes by allicin treatment in human colorectal HCT116 cells. As a result, allicin decreased cell viabilities in a dose and time-dependent manner and induced apoptosis. Oligo DNA microarray analysis, we found that 7,840 genes were up-regulated more than 2-folds, whereas 10,010 genes were down-regulated more than 2-folds by $50\;{\mu}M$ allicin treatment. To confirm specific gene expressions, we performed RT-PCR. Consistent with the results of DNA microarray analysis, allicin dramatically induced ATF3 and NAG1 gene expression. Interestingly, NAG-1 protein expression was dependent on p53 presence. Taken together, our present results increase the knowledge of the molecular mechanism of anti-cancer and anti-proliferative activity mediated by allciin in human colorectal cancer cell.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.805-810
• /
• 1994

Relationship between pungency and allicin content of pickled garlic during aging was examined . Degree of pungency of pickled garlic during aging at 20 $^{\circ}C$ was determined by the sensory evaluation. A panel of 10 members evaluated seven samples of pickled garlic which were aged for 0, 10 , 20, 40 , 50 or 60 days by using scoring test (seven point scale). The sensory evaluation results showed that pungency of pickled garlic decreased gradually during aging, and scored at 3.07 on the 40 th day of aging. Content of allicin, which was a major pungent component of garlic homogenate, was quantitatively analyzed by HPLC. The level of allicin in homogenate of pickled garlic was found to decrease gradually, and to 5.9% on the 40 th day of aging compared with that of fresh garlic. Relationship between the pungency score results and the content of allicin demonstrated a highly positive correlation (r=0.9648).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.14 no.8
• /
• pp.4615-4619
• /
• 2013

Background: Artesunate, extracted from Artemisia annua, has been proven to have anti-cancer potential. Allicin, diallyl thiosulfinate, the main biologically active compound derived from garlic, is also of interest in cancer treatment research. This object of this report was to document synergistic effects of artesunate combined with allicin on osteosarcoma cell lines in vitro and in vivo. Methods: After treatment with artesunate and allicin at various concentrations, the viability of osteosarcoma cells was analyzed by MTT method, with assessment of invasion and motility, colony formation and apoptosis. Western Blotting was performed to determine the expression of caspase-3/9, and activity was also detected after drug treatment. Moreover, in a nude mouse model established with orthotopic xenograft tumors, tumor weight and volume were monitored after drug administration via the intraperitoneal (i.p.) route. Results: The viability of osteosarcoma cells in the combination group was significantly decreased in a concentration and time dependent manner; moreover, invasion, motility and colony formation ability were significantly suppressed and the apoptotic rate was significantly increased through caspase-3/9 expression and activity enhancement in the combination group. Furthermore, suppression of tumor growth was evident in vivo. Conclusion: Our results indicated that artesunate and allicin in combination exert synergistic effects on osteosarcoma cell proliferation and apoptosis.

• IMMUNE NETWORK
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.6-11
• /
• 2002

Background: Inflammation is a frequent reaction following therapeutic irradiation. Since the upregulation of adhesion molecules on endothelial cell surface is known to be associated with inflammation, the expression of adhesion molecules is an important therapeutic target. Methods: Treatment of human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVECs) with ${\gamma}$-irradiation (${\gamma}IR$) induces the expression of adhesion proteins such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin. Changes in the expression of these proteins on ${\gamma}$-irradiated HUVECs which had been treated previously with allicin were measured by ELISA. Results: In the present study, we demonstrate that allicin inhibits the ${\gamma}IR$ induced expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin on HUVEC in a dose-dependent manner. Allicin was also found to inhibit the ${\gamma}IR$ induced production of nitric oxide (NO). Conclusion: These data suggest that allicin has a therapeutic potential for the treatment of various inflammatory disorders associated with increase numbers of endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecules.

• Korean Journal of Plant Resources
• /
• v.22 no.6
• /
• pp.552-557
• /
• 2009

Allicin, a garlic componente, is believed to provide protection against various diseases including inflammation. Since interactions of the cell adhesion molecules are known to play important roles in mediating inflammation, inhibiting adhesion protein upregulation is a possible therapeutic target. In this study, we demonstrate that TNF-${\alpha}$- and catalase-induced expression of ICAM-1 on human lung epithelial cells (A549) in a dose-dependent manner and catalase expression and activity were also increased in TNF-${\alpha}$-treated cells. Treatment of the TNF-${\alpha}$-treated cells with catalase inhibitor 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole resulted in a significant decreased the level of ICAM-1. These data suggest that induction of ICAM-1 expression by TNF-${\alpha}$ is associated with catalase. In addition, allicin was found to inhibit the TNF-${\alpha}$ induced expression of ICAM-1 on the A549 cells. This compound also inhibited the production of catalase induced by TNF-${\alpha}$, which suggests that the inhibition of ICAM-1 expression by allicin may be due to the modulated production of catalase.

• Archives of Pharmacal Research
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.197-203
• /
• 1985

It was attempted to observe the effect of garlic on the hepatic glutathione s-transferase and glutathione peroxidase activity in this study. Glutathione s-transferase (EC 2.5.1.18) are thought to play a physiological role in initiating the detoxication of potential alkylating agents, inclnding pharmacologically active compounds. Glutathione peroxidase (EC 1. 11. 1. 9) might play an important role in the protection of cellular structures against oxidative challenge. The activities of glutathione s-transferase and glutathione peroxidase in rat liver were increased by the treatment of garlic juice. Allicin fraction, heat-treated allicin fraction and garlic butanol fraction markedly inhibited glutathione s-transferase activity in vitro, whereas glutathione peroxidase activity was significantly increased in heat-treated allicin fraction and garlic butanol fraction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.41 no.5
• /
• pp.655-660
• /
• 2012

The purpose of this study is to evaluate pungency-related factors of field garlic (FG) and rice paddy garlic (RG) from Youncheon province. Allicin, alliin, and S-allyl-L-cysteine (SAC) contents were analyzed by HPLC. In addition, activities of alliinase, GTPase (${\gamma}$-glutamyltranspeptidase), and pyruvate content of garlic were measured. The moisture content of RG (65.86%) was higher than that of FG (63.34%). However, crude lipid, crude protein, crude ash, and carbohydrate contents of RG were lower than those of FG. The alliin contents of FG and RG were 8.97 and 8.22 mg/g, respectively. The allicin content of FG (2.83 mg/g) was higher than that of RG (2.22 mg/g). Further, SAC content of FG (1.74 mg/g) was higher than that of RG (0.104 mg/g). Alliinase activities of FG and RG were similar, whereas the GTPase activity of FG was higher than that of RG. These results show that the stronger pungency of FG is due to the higher amount of alliin and SAC as well as the higher activity of GTPase compared to RG.