Comparative effects of mono-, di-, tri-, and tetrasulfides derived from plants of the Allium family: redox cycling in vitro and hemolytic activity and Phase 2 enzyme induction in vivo

Epidemiological evidence indicates that a high dietary intake of plants of the Allium family, such as garlic and onions, decreases the risk of cancer in humans. It has been suggested that this effect is due to the ability of the aliphatic mono-, di-, tri-, and tetrasulfides derived from these vegetables to increase tissue activities of Phase 2 detoxification enzymes. In contrast, toxic effects have been recorded in domestic and farm animals after the consumption of garlic or onions, involving oxidative damage to erythrocytes and consequent hemolytic anemia. This effect again has been attributed to the aliphatic sulfides. In the present study, the ability of sulfides derived from garlic and onions to generate "active oxygen" species and cause oxidative damage to erythrocytes in vitro has been compared, together with their ability to cause hemolytic anemia and increase the activity of the Phase 2 enzymes quinone reductase (QR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in rats. Monosulfides were without significant effect on any parameter. Di-, tri-, and tetrasulfides generated hydrogen peroxide in the presence of GSH and hemoglobin and caused oxidative damage to erythrocytes in vitro. The activity decreased in the order of tetra- > tri- > disulfide, with the allyl compounds being more potent than the propyl. In vivo, both allyl and propyl tri- and tetrasulfides were powerful hemolytic agents. In contrast, only the allyl sulfides increased the activities of QR and GST; the propyl derivatives were completely without effect. Allyl and propyl tri- and tetrasulfides, thus, may contribute to the toxic effects of Allium vegetables, while only the allyl derivatives are effective in increasing tissue activities of cancer-protective enzymes.