A Review on Anti-Cancer Activity of Some of the Oil-Soluble Organosulphur Compounds Against Colon Cancer

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a major cause of cancer deaths worldwide. In recent years, there has been an increasing emphasis on herbal plants for the treatment of diseases including cancer. Objective and Method: Garlic (Allium sativum L.) and its organosulphur compounds (OSCs) are extensively studied among various naturally occurring compounds for their anticancer effects in forestomach, esophagus, colon, mammary gland and lung cancers in experimental animals. Although the exact mechanism is not clear, but the investigation reveals that OSCs inhibit growth of cancer cells by multiple pathways, which includes inhibition of metabolism, cell cycle arrest and inhibition of angiogenesis. The organosulphur compounds include water-soluble OSCs such as S-Allyl Cysteine (SAC) and S-Allyl Mercaptocysteine (SAMC) and oil-soluble OSCs such as diallyl sulfide (DAS), diallyl disulfide(DADS), diallyl trisulfide (DATS), dithiins and ajoene. The clinical trials are further needed to evaluate the effective dose in humans with no toxicity. Conclusion: The present review briefly summarizes the findings on oil-soluble organosulphur containing compounds in prevention of colon cancer with their possible mechanism of action.