Database Query Results : Allicin (mainly Garlic), , JNK

AL, Allicin (mainly Garlic): Click to Expand ⟱
Features:
Garlic (Allium sativum L.) (active ingredient- Allicin, an active sulfer compound).

Allicin — a reactive organosulfur thiosulfinate generated in situ when garlic (Allium sativum) tissue is crushed (alliin → allicin via alliinase). Functionally, it behaves as a short-lived electrophilic “reactive sulfur species” that rapidly modifies cellular thiols (e.g., glutathione and cysteine residues on proteins), producing broad redox and stress-signaling effects. Classification: small-molecule phytochemical (organosulfur thiosulfinate). Standard abbreviation(s): AL (common in Nestronics), “allicin”. Source/origin: freshly crushed raw garlic; allicin is not present in intact cloves and is chemically unstable, converting to other organosulfur metabolites after formation.

Primary mechanisms (ranked):

  1. Thiol reactivity and redox disruption: rapid GSH/protein-thiol modification (S-thioallylation), shifting redox buffering and triggering oxidative/electrophilic stress signaling.
  2. Mitochondrial stress and intrinsic apoptosis (context-dependent): ΔΨm disruption, cytochrome-c release, caspase activation, ER stress/UPR engagement (often downstream of redox stress).
  3. Inflammatory transcriptional suppression (context-dependent): inhibition of NF-κB–linked programs and, in some models, STAT3 signaling.
  4. Acetate metabolism constraint (model-dependent): reversible inhibition of acetyl-CoA synthetase activity (ACS/ACSS), potentially impacting acetate→acetyl-CoA flux under metabolic stress.
  5. Growth and invasion signaling attenuation (model-dependent): PI3K/AKT and MAPK network modulation with downstream effects on EMT/MMPs and angiogenic programs (e.g., HIF-1α/VEGF).

Bioavailability / PK relevance: “Allicin exposure” is dominated by formation conditions and rapid chemical/biologic turnover. Many oral preparations deliver alliin/alliinase that may generate allicin after ingestion; measured systemic allicin is typically transient, while downstream allyl-sulfur metabolites (e.g., allyl methyl sulfide–related products) are more detectable. Cooking/processing and GI conditions substantially change allicin bioequivalence versus crushed raw garlic.

In-vitro vs systemic exposure relevance: Many anticancer cell studies use ~50–300 µM allicin; whether such free allicin concentrations are achievable at tumor sites after dietary/supplement intake is uncertain because of rapid thiol quenching and conversion to other sulfur species. Reported biological effects at lower concentrations may still occur locally (GI lumen/mucosa) or via metabolites, but direct extrapolation from high-µM in-vitro dosing is high-risk.

Clinical evidence status: Predominantly preclinical (cell/animal) for anticancer mechanisms; human data are mixed and often evaluate garlic preparations rather than purified allicin, with outcomes confounded by formulation-dependent “allicin bioequivalence” and co-occurring organosulfur compounds (e.g., DADS/DATS/SAMC). Cancer-therapeutic evidence remains inconclusive.

DADS (diallyl disulfide is a sulfur-based anticancer drug generated from garlic)
Summary:
- Four main organic sulfides in garlic, diallyl disulfide (DADS), diallyl trisulfide (DATS), S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC) and allicin.
- Reversible inhibitor of ACSS2.
- may inhibit NF-κB signaling
- induce oxidative stress in cancer cells by generating ROS
- might downregulate STAT3 activation
- Inconclusive evidence for cancer treatment.
- may inhibit platelet aggregation
Allicin is a reactive sulfur species (RSS) [23] with oxidizing properties, and it is able to oxidize thiols in cells, e.g., glutathione and cysteine residues in proteins.
-Allicin is not present in intact garlic; rather, it is formed when garlic is chopped or crushed. -Using crushed or chopped raw garlic or adding garlic at the end of the cooking process (after the heat is reduced) can help preserve its potential allicin content.
"Consumption of alliinase-inhibited cooked garlic was found to give higher than expected allicin bioequivalence, with AMS formation being about 30% (roasted garlic) or 16% (boiled garlic) that of crushed raw garlic."

-Allicin is not present in intact garlic.
-It's formed enzymatically when alliin (a sulfur-containing amino acid) is converted by alliinase when garlic is chopped or crushed.Best consumed raw immediately after crushing (wait 5–10 min before consuming for full conversion)
-Allicin is unstable, degrading within hours into other sulfur compounds (like diallyl disulfide).

-Note half-life reports vary 2.5-90hrs?.
-moderately water-soluble but rapidly degrades/quenched (especially with thiols), so aqueous solutions have limited practical stability : BioAv


Pathways:
- induce ROS production
- ROS↑ related: MMP↓(ΔΨm), ER Stress↑, Ca+2↑, Cyt‑c↑, Caspases↑, DNA damage↑, UPR↑, cl-PARP↑, HSP↓
- Lowers AntiOxidant defense in Cancer Cells: NRF2↓, GSH↓
- Raises AntiOxidant defense in Normal Cells: NRF2↑, SOD↑, GSH↑, Catalase↑,
- lowers Inflammation : NF-kB↓, COX2↓, p38↓, Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines : IL-1β↓, TNF-α↓, IL-6↓, IL-8↓
- PI3K/AKT(Inhibition), JAK/STATs, Wnt/β-catenin, AMPK, MAPK/ERK, and JNK.
- inhibit Growth/Metastases : EMT↓, MMP2↓, MMP9↓, VEGF↓, ERK↓
- reactivate genes thereby inhibiting cancer cell growth : HDAC↓(not commonly listed as inhibitor), DNMT1↓, P53↑, HSP↓
- cause Cell cycle arrest : TumCCA↑, cyclin D1↓, cyclin E↓, CDK2↓, CDK4↓, CDK6↓,
- inhibits Migration/Invasion : TumCMig↓, FAK↓, ERK↓,
- inhibits angiogenesis↓ : VEGF↓, HIF-1α↓, EGFR↓,
- inhibits Cancer Stem Cells : CSC↓,
- Others: PI3K↓, AKT↓, STAT3, Wnt↓, β-catenin↓, AMPK↓, ERK↓, JNK,
- Synergies: chemo-sensitization, chemoProtective, RadioSensitizer, RadioProtective, Others(review target notes), Neuroprotective, Cognitive, Renoprotection, Hepatoprotective, CardioProtective,
- Selectivity: Cancer Cells vs Normal Cells

Allicin has been reported to exhibit a range of effects, including:
Antimicrobial activity: 10-50 μM
Antioxidant activity: 10-100 μM
Anti-inflammatory activity: 20-50 μM
Anticancer activity: 50-100 μM or (50–300uM) (2–5 mg allicin per kilogram of body weight per day)
Cardiovascular health: 20-50 μM

Approximate μM concentrations of allicin that can be achieved:
1 clove of garlic (3g): approximately 10-50 μM of allicin
single clove of garlic may yield about 5–9 mg of allicin,
1 tablespoon of minced garlic (15g): approximately 50-150 μM of allicin
1 cup of chopped garlic (100g): approximately 200-500 μM of allicin
1 tablespoon of chopped garlic chives (15g): approximately 5-20 μM of allicin
1 cup of chopped garlic chives (100g): approximately 20-50 μM of allicin
1 ounce (28g) of garlic microgreens: approximately 50-200 μM of allicin
1 cup of garlic microgreens (100g): approximately 200-500 μM of allicin
1 ounce (28g) of garlic chive microgreens: approximately 20-50 μM of allicin
1 cup of garlic chive microgreens (100g): approximately 50-100 μM of allicin

Allicin is a bioactive compound derived from garlic that has garnered significant interest for its potential anticancer properties through multiple mechanisms, including antioxidant activity, induction of apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and modulation of key signaling pathways. While regular dietary intake of garlic is associated with cancer prevention benefits, allicin is also being explored as an adjunct to conventional cancer treatments.

Available in supplement tablet/capsule form for example at 2000mg (fresh bulb equilvalent)
IC50 of normal cells it >160mg/mL (large selectivity).
IC50 might be about 12-30ug/ml (approximately 62-185 µM) (which is about 30-90 grams of garlic consumption).
This makes it difficult to consume enough supplements to achieve that level.

Pathways:

ROS Generation and Oxidative Stress (inducing)
• ROS generation is often considered a primary trigger that feeds into downstream pathways (e.g., MAPK activation, mitochondrial membrane permeabilization).
Mitochondrial (Intrinsic) Apoptotic Pathway
• ROS-induced mitochondrial damage can lead to the release of cytochrome c and subsequent activation of caspases (e.g., caspase-9 and caspase-3).
NF-κB Signaling Inhibition (block)
Modulation of MAPK Pathways (e.g., p38 MAPK and JNK)
• ROS generation by allicin can activate stress-responsive kinases such as p38 MAPK and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK).
Inhibition of PI3K/Akt Pathway
ROS levels and PI3K/Akt signaling, with increased oxidative stress often correlating with reduced Akt phosphorylation and activity.

At lower doses, allicin may lead to a modest increase in ROS levels that the cell’s antioxidant defenses (e.g., glutathione, superoxide dismutase) can manage

Allicin (Garlic) — mechanistic axes relevant to oncology

Rank Pathway / Axis Cancer Cells Normal Cells TSF Primary Effect Notes / Interpretation
1 Thiol chemistry and redox buffering GSH↓, protein thiols modified; ROS↑ (dose-dependent) Adaptive buffering often stronger; ROS↔/↑ (context-dependent) P Electrophilic/thiol stress that re-wires signaling Central “first-contact” mechanism: allicin rapidly reacts with cysteine/GSH, so many downstream pathway changes are secondary to thiol stress.
2 Mitochondria and intrinsic apoptosis ΔΨm↓, Cyt-c↑, Caspase↑, cl-PARP↑ Typically less apoptosis at matched doses (selectivity varies) R Pro-apoptotic stress execution Frequently downstream of rank #1; selectivity can reflect baseline redox fragility and metabolic state.
3 ER stress and UPR ER stress↑, UPR↑ (model-dependent) UPR↔/↑ (context-dependent) R Proteostasis stress amplification Can couple to Ca²⁺ release, apoptosis, and inflammatory signaling changes.
4 Ca²⁺ signaling Ca²⁺↑ (model-dependent) Ca²⁺↔/↑ (context-dependent) R Stress coupling to mitochondria/ER Often reported as part of the ER–mitochondria stress axis rather than a primary target.
5 NF-κB inflammatory axis NF-κB↓; cytokine programs↓ (context-dependent) Inflammatory tone↓ (context-dependent) G Anti-inflammatory transcriptional suppression May be beneficial in tumor-promoting inflammation contexts; also relevant to platelet/vascular biology.
6 STAT3 signaling STAT3↓ (model-dependent) STAT3↔ (context-dependent) G Reduced survival/proliferation programs Evidence is model-specific; frequently downstream of redox/inflammation modulation.
7 NRF2 antioxidant response NRF2↓ or maladaptive NRF2 response (context-dependent) NRF2↑ (context-dependent) G Differential stress adaptation Reported “cancer vs normal” divergence is plausible but not universal; strongly dose/model dependent.
8 Acetate to acetyl-CoA metabolism ACS/ACSS activity↓ (model-dependent) ACS/ACSS activity↓ (context-dependent) R Limits acetate utilization under stress Primary biochemical evidence exists for acetyl-CoA synthetase inhibition by allicin; translation to tumor-selective ACSS2 targeting is uncertain without exposure confirmation.
9 PI3K/AKT and MAPK network PI3K/AKT↓, ERK/JNK↔/↓ (model-dependent) ↔ (context-dependent) G Reduced growth/survival signaling Commonly reported but typically secondary to upstream stress/redox effects.
10 HIF-1α and angiogenesis HIF-1α↓, VEGF↓ (model-dependent) ↔ (context-dependent) G Anti-angiogenic signaling shift Most supportive data are preclinical; dependent on hypoxia models and dosing.
11 EMT, migration, invasion EMT↓, MMPs↓ (model-dependent) ↔ (context-dependent) G Reduced invasive phenotype Usually downstream of PI3K/MAPK/inflammation rewiring and/or oxidative stress–driven cytostasis.
12 Radiosensitization and chemosensitization Sensitization↑ (context-dependent) Protection↔/↑ (context-dependent) G Stress-based therapeutic interaction Potential bidirectionality: pro-oxidant sensitization in tumors vs antioxidant adaptation in normal tissues depends on schedule and formulation.
13 Clinical Translation Constraint Chemical instability; rapid thiol quenching; formulation-dependent “allicin bioequivalence”; uncertain tumor-site free-allicin exposure; many in-vitro studies use high µM levels; human cancer outcomes largely from heterogeneous garlic preparations rather than purified allicin. Primary constraint is exposure control, not target plausibility.


JNK, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK): Click to Expand ⟱
Source:
Type:
JNK acts synergistically with NF-κB, JAK/STAT, and other signaling molecules to exert a survival function. Janus signaling promotes cancer cell survival.
JNK, or c-Jun N-terminal kinase, is a member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family. It plays a crucial role in various cellular processes, including cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis (programmed cell death). JNK is activated in response to various stress signals, such as UV radiation, oxidative stress, and inflammatory cytokines.
JNK activation can promote apoptosis in cancer cells, acting as a tumor suppressor. However, in other contexts, it can promote cell survival and proliferation, contributing to tumor progression.

JNK is often unregulated in cancers, leading to increased cancer cell proliferation, survival, and resistance to apoptosis. This activation is typically associated with poor prognosis and aggressive tumor behavior.


Scientific Papers found: Click to Expand⟱
2655- AL,    Allicin and Digestive System Cancers: From Chemical Structure to Its Therapeutic Opportunities
- Review, GC, NA
TGF-β↓, Allicin can reduce the expression of TGF-2 and its receptor after entering directly into gastric cancer cell
cycD1/CCND1↓, followed by not only downexpression of cyclinD1, cyclinE, and cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK),
cycE/CCNE↓,
CDK1↓, cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)
DNAdam↑, but also causing DNA damage and generating ROS
ROS↑,
BAX↑, Allicin increases the levels of Bax (proapoptotic protein), Bcl-2 (antiapoptotic protein), and JNK
JNK↑,
MMP↓, through reduction in outer mitochondrial membrane potential
p38↑, allicin induces p38 mitogen that could induce the protein kinase (MAPK) and then increase the expression of Fas binding to Fas ligand (Fas L) and finally activate death pathway through activation of cyt C and caspase-8.
MAPK↑,
Fas↑,
Cyt‑c↑,
Casp8↑,
PARP↑, allicin makes caspase-dependent apoptosis through elevating PARP, caspase-3 and caspase-9, which are mediated by enhanced discharging of mitochondria cyt C to the cytosol.
Casp3↑,
Casp9↑,
Ca+2↑, allicin induces apoptosis via increasing the amounts of free Ca2+, ER stress.
ER Stress↑,
P21↑, generating ROS to produce p21 and phospho-p53 (Ser15).
CDK2↓, Then p21 suppressed the CDK-4/6/cyclinD complex, P21-PCNA, P21-CDK2, and subsequently reduced cdk1/cyclinB1 complex for G2/M phase cell cycle arrest
CDK6↑,
TumCCA↑,
CDK4↓, Then p21 suppressed the CDK-4/6/cyclinD complex

2558- AL,    Allicin, an Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Agent, Ameliorates Cognitive Impairment
- Review, AD, NA
*AntiCan↑, Allicin has shown anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant properties and also serves as an efficient therapeutic agent against cardiovascular diseases
*antiOx↑,
*cardioP↑,
*neuroP↑, present review describes allicin as an antioxidant, and neuroprotective molecule
cognitive↑, that can ameliorate the cognitive abilities in case of neurodegenerative and neuropsychological disorders.
*ROS↓, As an antioxidant, allicin fights the reactive oxygen species (ROS) by downregulation of NOX (NADPH oxidizing) enzymes, it can directly interact to reduce the cellular levels of different types of ROS produced by a variety of peroxidases.
*NOX↓,
*TLR4↓, inhibition of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB, P38 and JNK pathways.
*NF-kB↓,
*JNK↓,
*AntiAg↑, A low concentration of allicin (0.4 mM) can inhibit the platelet aggregation up to 90%, the impact is significantly higher than of similar concentration of aspirin.
*H2S↑, Allicin decomposes rapidly and undergoes a series of reactions with glutathione resulting in the production of hydrogen sulphide (H2S).
*BP↓, H2S is a gaseous signalling molecule involved in the regulation of blood pressure.
Telomerase↓, Allicin inhibits the activity of telomerase in a dose dependent manner subsequently inhibiting the proliferation in the cancer cells
*Insulin↑, Studies have shown a significant increase in the blood insulin levels after treatment with allicin
BioAv↝, optimum temperature for the activity of alliinase is 33 °C, it operates best at pH 6.5, the enzyme is sensitive to acids [42,43] (Figure 3), enteric-coated formulations of garlic supplements are therefore recommended
*GSH↑, It helps to lower the hyperglycaemic conditions and improves the glutathione and catalase biosynthesis [37,38]
*Catalase↑,

2669- AL,  Rad,    Inhibition of ICAM-1 expression by garlic component, allicin, in gamma-irradiated human vascular endothelial cells via downregulation of the JNK signaling pathway
- in-vitro, Nor, HUVECs
*ICAM-1↓, Allicin significantly inhibited gamma IR-induced surface expression of ICAM-1 and ICAM mRNA in a dose-dependent manner.
*AP-1↓, pretreatment with allicin resulted in the decrease of AP-1 activation and phosphorylation of the c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) induced by gamma IR.
*p‑cJun↓,
*radioP↑, may be considered in therapeutic strategies for the management of patients treated with radiation therapy
JNK↓, downregulates gamma IR-induced ICAM-1 expression via inhibition of both AP-1 activation and the JNK pathway

2666- AL,    Targeting the Interplay of Autophagy and ROS for Cancer Therapy: An Updated Overview on Phytochemicals
- Review, Var, NA
Inflam↓, , anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, and immune-modulatory activities
AntiCan↑,
ROS↑, allicin treatment led to the accumulation of ROS
MAPK↑, activation of MAPK/JNK
JNK↑,
TumAuto↑, of autophagy in non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells.
other↑, autophagy at a low dose of allicin is cytoprotective
Dose↝, whereas a high dose of allicin leads to autophagic cell death.
MALAT1↓, allicin could considerably induce oxidative stress and autophagy to suppress osteosarcoma growth via inactivating the MALAT1-miR-376a-Wnt/β-catenin axis,
Wnt↓,
β-catenin/ZEB1↓,

248- AL,    Allicin inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis in U87MG human glioblastoma cells through an ERK-dependent pathway
- in-vitro, GBM, U87MG
Bcl-2↓,
BAX↑,
MAPK↑,
ERK↑,
ROS↑, antioxidant prevented inhibitory effect
p38↑,
JNK↑,


* indicates research on normal cells as opposed to diseased cells
Total Research Paper Matches: 5

Pathway results for Effect on Cancer / Diseased Cells:


Redox & Oxidative Stress

ROS↑, 3,  

Mitochondria & Bioenergetics

MMP↓, 1,  

Cell Death

BAX↑, 2,   Bcl-2↓, 1,   Casp3↑, 1,   Casp8↑, 1,   Casp9↑, 1,   Cyt‑c↑, 1,   Fas↑, 1,   JNK↓, 1,   JNK↑, 3,   MAPK↑, 3,   p38↑, 2,   Telomerase↓, 1,  

Transcription & Epigenetics

other↑, 1,  

Protein Folding & ER Stress

ER Stress↑, 1,  

Autophagy & Lysosomes

TumAuto↑, 1,  

DNA Damage & Repair

DNAdam↑, 1,   PARP↑, 1,  

Cell Cycle & Senescence

CDK1↓, 1,   CDK2↓, 1,   CDK4↓, 1,   cycD1/CCND1↓, 1,   cycE/CCNE↓, 1,   P21↑, 1,   TumCCA↑, 1,  

Proliferation, Differentiation & Cell State

ERK↑, 1,   Wnt↓, 1,  

Migration

Ca+2↑, 1,   MALAT1↓, 1,   TGF-β↓, 1,   β-catenin/ZEB1↓, 1,  

Immune & Inflammatory Signaling

Inflam↓, 1,  

Hormonal & Nuclear Receptors

CDK6↑, 1,  

Drug Metabolism & Resistance

BioAv↝, 1,   Dose↝, 1,  

Functional Outcomes

AntiCan↑, 1,   cognitive↑, 1,  
Total Targets: 38

Pathway results for Effect on Normal Cells:


Redox & Oxidative Stress

antiOx↑, 1,   Catalase↑, 1,   GSH↑, 1,   ROS↓, 1,  

Mitochondria & Bioenergetics

Insulin↑, 1,  

Core Metabolism/Glycolysis

H2S↑, 1,  

Cell Death

JNK↓, 1,  

Transcription & Epigenetics

p‑cJun↓, 1,  

Migration

AntiAg↑, 1,   AP-1↓, 1,  

Immune & Inflammatory Signaling

ICAM-1↓, 1,   NF-kB↓, 1,   TLR4↓, 1,  

Cellular Microenvironment

NOX↓, 1,  

Clinical Biomarkers

BP↓, 1,  

Functional Outcomes

AntiCan↑, 1,   cardioP↑, 1,   neuroP↑, 1,   radioP↑, 1,  
Total Targets: 19

Scientific Paper Hit Count for: JNK, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)
5 Allicin (mainly Garlic)
1 Radiotherapy/Radiation
Query results interpretion may depend on "conditions" listed in the research papers.
Such Conditions may include : 
  -low or high Dose
  -format for product, such as nano of lipid formations
  -different cell line effects
  -synergies with other products 
  -if effect was for normal or cancerous cells
Filter Conditions: Pro/AntiFlg:%  IllCat:%  CanType:%  Cells:%  prod#:27  Target#:168  State#:%  Dir#:%
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