Anticancer potential of allicin: A review. (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Catanzaro, Elena; Canistro, Donatella; Pellicioni, Valentina; Vivarelli, Fabio; Fimognari, Carmela
• Is Part Of: Pharmacological research. Volume 177(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: 5-FU 5-fluorouracil -- 6-MP 6-mercaptopurine -- 6-MPR 6-MP-riboside -- AFB1 aflatoxin B1 -- AGE aged garlic extract -- AIF apoptosis-inducing factor -- AKT protein kinase B -- ALP alkaline phosphatase -- ALT alanine aminotransferase -- AMS allyl methyl sulfide -- Apaf-1 apoptotic protease activating factor-1 -- AST aspartate aminotransferase -- ATRA all-trans retinoic acid -- AUC area under the curve -- Bak Bcl-2 antagonist/killer -- Bax Bcl-2-like protein 4 -- bFGF basic fibroblast growth factor -- BID BH3 interacting domain death agonist -- CAs chromosomal aberrations -- cdc2 cyclin-dependent kinase 1 -- CLL B-chronic lymphoblastic leukemia -- CSC cancer stem cells -- CYP cytochrome P450 -- DIABLO direct inhibitor of apoptosis-binding protein with low PI -- DISC death-inducing signaling complex -- DX dexamethasone -- DOX doxorubicin -- EAC Ehrlich ascites carcinoma -- EC endothelial cells -- ECM extracellular matrix -- EMT epithelial-mesenchymal transition -- Erb2 human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 -- ERK extracellular signal-regulated kinases -- FADD FAS-associated death domain -- FASL FAS ligand -- FASR FAS receptor -- GBM glioblastoma multiforme -- gGT gamma glutamyl transferase -- GSH glutathione -- GSSA S-allylmercaptoglutathione -- GSSG glutathione disulfide -- Gy gray -- HCMV human cytomegalovirus -- HCV-ABxtl68 anti-Hepatitis C Virus human monoclonal antibody -- HDF human dermal fibroblasts -- HIF hypoxia-inducible factor -- HtrA2 high-temperature requirement A2 -- IAPs apoptosis inhibitor proteins -- IC50 half maximal inhibitory concentration -- IFN-β interferon β -- IκB NF-κB inhibitory protein -- IKK IκB kinase -- IL interleukin -- iNOS inducible nitric oxide synthase -- i.p. intraperitoneal -- i.v. intravenous -- JNK c-Jun N-terminal kinase -- LDH lactate dehydrogenase -- MAPKs mitogen-activated protein kinases -- MD Mediterranean diet -- MGMT O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase -- MMP matrix metalloprotease 9 -- MMS methyl methanesulfonate -- mTOR mechanistic target of rapamycin -- NAC N-acetylcysteine -- NF-κB nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells -- NK natural killer -- NRD normal rat diet -- Nrf2 nuclear factor-erythroid factor 2-related factor 2 -- p62 sequestosome-1 -- PARP Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 -- PBMC peripheral blood mononuclear cells -- P-gp P-glycoprotein -- PI3K phosphoinositide-3-kinase -- PlGF placental growth factor -- PKA protein kinase A -- PLP pyridoxal phosphate -- RARβ retinoic acid receptor beta -- RD restricted diet -- rIL-2 recombinant interleukin-2 -- RNS reactive nitrogen species -- ROS reactive oxygen species -- RSS reactive sulfur species -- SA-6MP S-allyl-6MP -- SA-6MPR S-allyl-6-MPR -- SAH S-adenosyl homocysteine -- SAM S-adenosylmethionine -- SC subcutaneous -- SCEs sister chromatid exchanges -- Smac second mitochondria-derived activator of caspase -- SOD superoxide dismutase -- SP side population -- STAT signal transducer and activator of transcription -- TAM tamoxifen -- TMZ temozolomide -- TNF tumor necrosis factor -- TNFR tumor necrosis factor receptor -- TRADD TNFR-associated death domain -- SH2 Src-homology 2 domain -- VEGFs vascular endothelial growth factors; Allicin -- Anticancer drugs -- Cancer -- Cytotoxicity -- Pharmacokinetics -- Selectivity; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; Research -- Periodicals; Médicaments -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Pharmacologie -- Périodiques; 615.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106118
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-6618

Abstract

Abstract: Phytochemicals have attracted attention in the oncological field because they are biologically friendly and have relevant pharmacological activities. Thanks to the intense and unique spicy aroma, garlic is one of the most used plants for cooking. Its consumption is correlated to health beneficial effects towards several chronic diseases, such as cancer, mainly attributable to allicin, a bioactive sulfur compound stored in different plant parts in a precursor form. The objective of this review is to present and critically discuss the chemistry and biosynthesis of allicin, its pharmacokinetic profile, its anticancer mechanisms and molecular targets, and its selectivity towards tumor cells. The research carried out so far revealed that allicin suppresses the growth of different types of tumors. In particular, it targets many signaling pathways associated with cancer development. Future research directions are also outlined to further characterize this promising natural product. Graphical Abstract: ga1