Abstract
Species that belong to the genus Allium have been widely used for human food and traditional medicine. Their beneficial health effects, as well as the specific aroma, are associated with their bioactive chemical compounds, such as sulfur compounds and flavonoids. Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (reverse-phase HPLC) were used to identify organosulfur and amino acid content of triploid hybrid onion, Allium cornutum Clement ex Visiani, 1842, and common onion, Allium cepa L. Allium extracts were tested for their antiproliferative activity in three human cancer cell lines (HeLa, HCT116, and U2OS). DNA fragmentation and DAPI staining analysis were performed on HeLa cells to evaluate the effect of extracts on DNA damage and cell morphology. The mRNA expression of p53, Bax, and Caspase-3 genes involved in apoptosis were analyzed by real-time PCR. Using GC–MS, 27 compounds were found in two Allium species headspaces. Differences were noted among the main compound abundance in the headspace (although the major thiols and disulfides were qualitatively identic in both Allium species) and dipropyl disulfide, diisopropyl trisulfide, and (Z)-prop-1-enyl propyl trisulfide were predominant sulfides. Identification of amino acids and their quantities were determined by reverse-phase HPLC. Most abundant amino acids in both onions were arginine (Arg) and glutamic acid (Glu). The results of cytotoxicity testing confirmed antiproliferative effects of both species. The DNA fragmentation assay, DAPI staining and real time PCR analysis confirmed that A. cornutum and A. cepa extracts induced apoptosis in HeLa cells. This study presents the evidence for possible therapeutic use of A. cornutum and A. cepa extracts against human cervical carcinoma cell line.
Highlights
The Allium genus includes more than 750 species of which about a dozen are economically important and cultivated as crops, garden vegetables, or ornamental plants
Differences were noted among the main compound abundance in the headspace and dipropyl disulfide, diisopropyl trisulfide, and (Z)-prop-1-enyl propyl trisulfide were predominant sulfides
A total of 27 compounds were identified in both species by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis
Summary
The Allium genus includes more than 750 species of which about a dozen are economically important and cultivated as crops, garden vegetables, or ornamental plants. Annual production and consumption of onion, garlic, leek, chives, and their relatives, makes these Allium species among the most important vegetables in the world [1]. Except in diet, these plants have been used for many years in traditional medicine for the treatment and prevention of different diseases, like skin diseases, microbial infections, gastrointestinal disorders, worms, wounds, and tumors [2]. Many epidemiological studies confirmed the connection between the consumption of Allium vegetables and decrease risk for development of many diseases, such as coronary heart disease [3,4], gastrointestinal diseases [5,6,7], different type of cancer [8,9], and inflammatory diseases [10,11]. After the consumption of onions, flavonoids are absorbed primarily from the stomach or/and small intestine [14]
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