title: Molecular mechanisms for the anti-cancer effects of diallyl disulfide.
abstract: Considerable evidence in recent years suggests that garlic has anti-proliferative effects against various types of cancer. Garlic contains water-soluble and oil-soluble sulfur compounds. Oil-soluble compounds such as diallyl sulfide (DAS), diallyl disulfide (DADS), diallyl trisulfide (DATS) and ajoene are more effective than water-soluble compounds in protection against cancer. DADS, a major organosulfur compound derived from garlic, can decrease carcinogen-induced cancers in experimental animals and inhibit the proliferation of various types of cancer cells. Its mechanisms of action include: the activation of metabolizing enzymes that detoxify carcinogens; suppression of the formation of DNA adducts; antioxidant effects; regulation of cell-cycle arrest; induction of apoptosis and differentiation; histone modification; and inhibition of angiogenesis and invasion. These topics are discussed in depth in this review.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Research Institute, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, Hunan Province, China.
authors.forename: Lan
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yi
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Su
mesh_terms: D000107:Acetylation; D000498:Allyl Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D059447:Cell Cycle Checkpoints / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D004220:Disulfides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D040901:Proteomics / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D000498:Allyl Compounds; D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D000975:Antioxidants; D004220:Disulfides; D006657:Histones; C028009:diallyl disulfide