Revista de Farmacognosia e Produtos Naturais

Therapeutic Potential and Phytoconstituents of Allium cepa Linn

Abstract

Irene Adriano

In the present scenario,  herbal medicines have gained global importance with both medicinal and economic implications. Widespread use of herbs all over the world has raised serious concerns over their quality, safety, and efficacy. Thus, accurate scientific assessment has become a prerequisite for the acceptance of health claims. Onion (Allium cepa Linn.) is a member of the genus Allium, is the second utmost important horticulture crop all over the world. It is used as an important source of phytoconstituents and food flavor. Onions are the richest sources of flavonoids and organosulphur compounds. They possess a high level of antioxidant activity attributable to flavonoids quercetin,  kaempferol,  myricetin;  pigments such as anthocyanins,  and organosulphur compounds.  The most important among the sulphur compounds are the cysteine derivatives non-volatile  S-amino acids,  S-alk(en)yl-substituted cysteine sulphoxides, and their decomposition products such as thiosulfinates and polysulfides.