title: Antitumoral activity of allicin in murine lymphoma L5178Y.
abstract: Epidemiological studies link increased garlic (Allium sativum) consumption with a reduced incidence of cancer in various human populations. Experimental carcinogenesis studies in animal models and in cell culture systems indicate that several allium-derived compounds exhibit inhibitory effects and that the underlying mechanisms may involve apoptosis. To provide a better understanding of the effects of allium derivatives regarding prevention of cancer, we examined antitumoral activity of allicin, a major component of garlic, in L5178Y lymphoma bearing mice. For in vitro studies, we utilized cell proliferation and apoptosis in the same tumor cell line. We found that allicin inhibited the growth of tumor cells at doses two fold superior to that in normal splenocytes. Allicin also induced apoptosis, and this was associated with an increase in caspase3 activity.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación y Asistencia en Tecnología y Diseño del Estado de Jalisco, Mexico. epadilla@ciatej.net.mx
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Padilla-Camberos
authors.forename: Galina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zaitseva
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Padilla
authors.forename: Ana Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Puebla
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D004220:Disulfides; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects; D013441:Sulfinic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D004220:Disulfides; D013441:Sulfinic Acids; C006452:allicin; C505409:Casp3 protein, mouse; D053148:Caspase 3