Allicin,the Odor of Freshly Crushed Garlic: A Review of Recent Progress in Understanding Allicin’s Effects on Cells |
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Authors: | Jan Borlinghaus Jana Foerster |
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Institution: | 1.Department of Plant Physiology, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany; (J.F.); (U.N.); (M.C.H.G.);2.School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia;3.Institute of Biology-Microbiology, Freie Universität Berlin, 14195 Berlin, Germany; |
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Abstract: | The volatile organic sulfur compound allicin (diallyl thiosulfinate) is produced as a defense substance when garlic (Allium sativum) tissues are damaged, for example by the activities of pathogens or pests. Allicin gives crushed garlic its characteristic odor, is membrane permeable and readily taken up by exposed cells. It is a reactive thiol-trapping sulfur compound that S-thioallylates accessible cysteine residues in proteins and low molecular weight thiols including the cellular redox buffer glutathione (GSH) in eukaryotes and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as bacillithiol (BSH) in Gram-positive firmicutes. Allicin shows dose-dependent antimicrobial activity. At higher doses in eukaryotes allicin can induce apoptosis or necrosis, whereas lower, biocompatible amounts can modulate the activity of redox-sensitive proteins and affect cellular signaling. This review summarizes our current knowledge of how bacterial and eukaryotic cells are specifically affected by, and respond to, allicin. |
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Keywords: | TRPA1 Yap1 Keap1-Nrf2 DNA gyrase glutathione glutathione reductase lung pathogens Haemophilus influenzae apoptosis cancer ornithine decarboxylase Arabidopsis yeast |
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