Allicin suppresses human glioblastoma cell growth by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and by promoting autophagy

Glioblastoma is the most aggressive cancer that occurs in the brain and spinal cord. In the present study, we investigated the effect of allicin, an organosulfur compound obtained from garlic (Allium sativum), on glioblastoma cell growth. When human glioblastoma DBTRG-05MG cells were incubated with different concentrations of allicin for 24 h, cell growth was suppressed in a dose-dependent manner. The results from image-based cytometer assays suggested that allicin caused S and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest and induced apoptosis. Autophagy detection studies showed that allicin also promoted this mechanism. Because cell migration is a key process during tumor formation, the effect of allicin on glioblastoma cell migration was also examined. After allicin treatment, the migration ability of cells decreased when compared with the control after 24 h. Taken together, the present results suggested that allicin inhibited human glioblastoma cell growth by inducing S and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and autophagy. Our findings suggest that allicin suppressed glioblastoma cell growth through multiple target pathways. Therefore, allicin potentially serves as an alternative therapeutic candidate or could be synergistically used in combination with the standard drug for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme.