Onionin A from Allium cepa inhibits macrophage activation

J Nat Prod. 2010 Jul 23;73(7):1306-8. doi: 10.1021/np100105u.

Abstract

Onionin A (1), a new, stable, sulfur-containing compound, was isolated from acetone extracts of bulbs of onion (Allium cepa), and its structure was characterized as 3,4-dimethyl-5-(1E-propenyl)-tetrahydrothiophen-2-sulfoxide-S-oxide, on the basis of the results of spectroscopic analysis. This compound showed the potential to suppress tumor-cell proliferation by inhibiting the polarization of M2 alternatively activated macrophages.

MeSH terms

  • Allium / chemistry*
  • Antigens, CD / drug effects
  • Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Japan
  • Macrophages / drug effects*
  • Onions / chemistry*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / drug effects
  • Sulfoxides / chemistry
  • Sulfoxides / isolation & purification*
  • Sulfoxides / pharmacology*
  • Thiophenes / chemistry
  • Thiophenes / isolation & purification*
  • Thiophenes / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic
  • CD163 antigen
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Sulfoxides
  • Thiophenes
  • onionin A