title: Allicin induces apoptosis in EL-4 cells in vitro by activation of expression of caspase-3 and -12 and up-regulation of the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2.
abstract: Garlic (Allium sativum L.; Liliaceae) has been widely demonstrated in the role of cancer prevention, but the specific compound in garlic corresponding to this effect and its mechanisms are not clearly known. Allicin is one of the organic sulphur compounds derived from garlic. In the present study we investigated the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities of allicin in murine T-lymphocytes (EL-4) and the mechanism of inducing apoptosis in vitro. The results showed that allicin was effective in inhibiting the proliferation of EL-4 cells in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner. Further, allicin could induce the formation of apoptotic bodies, nuclear condensation, DNA spallation, and even activated the expression of caspase-3, -12 and cytochrome C (cyt C). Finally, allicin up-regulated the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and induced a mitochondrion membrane potential (MMP) decrease. Allicin induced apoptosis in EL-4 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner, in which the mitochondrial pathway might play a central role.
authors: School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, PR China. wangzr@lzu.edu.cn
authors: Ziren
authors: Z
authors: Wang
authors: Zhonghu
authors: Z
authors: Liu
authors: Zhiheng
authors: Z
authors: Cao
authors: Lan
authors: L
authors: Li
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D053454:Caspase 12 / Q000378:metabolism*; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D004220:Disulfides; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D051379:Mice; D013441:Sulfinic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D004220:Disulfides; D013441:Sulfinic Acids; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; C006452:allicin; D053454:Caspase 12; D053148:Caspase 3