- Ajoene
Ajoene (pronEng|ˈɑːhoʊiːn) is a
chemical compound available fromgarlic ("Allium sativum"). The name (and pronunciation) is derived from "ajo", the Spanish word for garlic. It is found as a mixture of two isomers, E-, and Z- 4,5,9-trithiadodeca-1,6,11-triene 9-oxide.Ajoene, an unsaturated
disulfide , is formed from the bonding of threeallicin molecule s. Allicin is a sulfinyl compound that gives garlic its strongodor andflavor . The release of allicin occurs after a garlic clove is crushed or finely chopped. Subsequent formation of ajoene occurs when allicin is dissolved in various solvents including edible oils. Ajoene is also found in garlic extract. Ajoene is most stable and most abundant in macerate of garlic (chopped garlic in edible oil).Scientists have found that ajoene has many properties of interest to current
medicine . It functions as anantioxidant , by inhibiting the release ofsuperoxide . Ajoene also has antithrombotic (anti-clotting) properties, which helps preventplatelet s in theblood from formingblood clot s, potentially reducing the risk ofheart disease andstroke in humans. Ajoene is also known to have effective broad-spectrum antimicrobial (antibacterial and antifungal) properties, helpful in preventingyeast infection ("Candida albicans") and treatingathlete's foot ("tinea pedis"), for example. Ajoene has even been shown effective in inhibitingtumor cell growth by targeting themicrotubule cytoskeleton of such cells.References
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