Effects of different garlic-derived allyl sulfides on peroxidative processes and anaerobic sulfur metabolism in mouse liver.

Biological activity of garlic has been attributed to organosulfur compounds, most of all to oil-soluble allyl sulfides, such as diallyl sulfide (DAS), diallyl disulfide (DADS) and diallyl trisulfide (DATS). This study evaluated the effectiveness of garlic-derived allyl sulfides in influencing peroxidative processes, levels of thiols and sulfane sulfur and its metabolic enzymes in normal mouse liver cells. Various allyl sulfides (DAS, DADS and DATS) dissolved in corn oil were given intraperitoneally to mice for 10 days. After sacrificing the mice, biochemical assays were performed in liver homogenates and in plasma in order to establish liver function. All allyl sulfides under study had a beneficial effect in the mouse liver since they decreased reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde levels and increased glutathione S-transferase activity and non-protein sulfhydryl group level. Moreover, DADS and DATS elevated total sulfane sulfur pool and activity of sulfane sulfur biosynthetic enzymes. The increase in sulfane sulfur level entailed augmentation of its antioxidant and regulatory capacities. Garlic-derived allyl sulfides exhibited antioxidant action in the liver and elevated anaerobic cysteine metabolism leading to the formation of sulfane sulfur-containing compounds. Thus, DADS and DATS showed beneficial action in the liver, which can be used for protection of normal liver cells during chemotherapy or for alleviation of liver damage.