Cracking the superheavy pyrite enigma: possible roles of volatile organosulfur compound emission

The global deposition of superheavy pyrite (pyrite isotopically heavier than coeval seawater sulfate in the Neoproterozoic Era and particularly in the Cryogenian Period) defies explanation using the canonical marine sulfur cycle system. Here we report petrographic and sulfur isotopic data (δ34Spy) of superheavy pyrite from the Cryogenian Datangpo Formation (660-650 Ma) in South China. Our data indicate a syndepositional/early diagenetic origin of the Datangpo superheavy pyrite, with 34S-enriched H2S supplied from sulfidic (H2S rich) seawater. Instructed by a novel sulfur-cycling model, we propose that the emission of 34S-depleted volatile organosulfur compounds (VOSC) that were generated via sulfide methylation may have contributed to the formation of 34S-enriched sulfidic seawater and superheavy pyrite. The global emission of VOSC may be attributed to enhanced organic matter production after the Sturtian glaciation in the context of widespread sulfidic conditions. These findings demonstrate that VOSC cycling is an important component of the sulfur cycle in Proterozoic oceans.

Allium-Derived Compound Propyl Propane Thiosulfonate (PTSO) Attenuates Metabolic Alterations in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet through Its Anti-Inflammatory and Prebiotic Properties

Background: Propyl propane thiosulfonate (PTSO) is an organosulfur compound from Allium spp. that has shown interesting antimicrobial properties and immunomodulatory effects in different experimental models. In this sense, our aim was to evaluate its effect on an experimental model of obesity, focusing on inflammatory and metabolic markers and the gut microbiota. Methods and results: Mice were fed a high-fat diet and orally treated with different doses of PTSO (0.1, 0.5 and 1 mg/kg/day) for 5 weeks. PTSO lessened the weight gain and improved the plasma markers associated with glucose and lipid metabolisms. PTSO also attenuated obesity-associated systemic inflammation, reducing the immune cell infiltration and, thus, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in adipose and hepatic tissues (Il-1ẞ, Il-6, Tnf-α, Mcp-1, Jnk-1, Jnk-2, Leptin, Leptin R, Adiponectin, Ampk, Ppar-α, Ppar-γ, Glut-4 and Tlr-4) and improving the expression of different key elements for gut barrier integrity (Muc-2, Muc-3, Occludin, Zo-1 and Tff-3). Additionally, these effects were connected to a regulation of the gut microbiome, which was altered by the high-fat diet. Conclusion: Allium-derived PTSO can be considered a potential new tool for the treatment of metabolic syndrome.

Can diallyl trisulfide, a dietary garlic-derived compound, activate ferroptosis to overcome therapy resistance in prostate cancer?

BACKGROUND

Therapy resistance is the underlying reason for poor outcome in prostate cancer (PCa) patients. Diallyl trisulfide (DATS) is an organosulfur compound present in garlic. DATS has been shown to target PCa cells by induction of apoptosis, increase in the production of reactive oxygen species, degradation of ferritin protein and increase in the labile iron (Fe) pool.

AIM

We hypothesize that DATS could induce ferroptosis, an Fe-dependent, unique non-apoptotic form of regulated cell death to eliminate therapy resistance encountered by PCa patients.

METHODS

In vitro and in vivo studies should be performed to test the hypothesis.

RESULTS

As per the hypothesis, DATS would eliminate apoptotic resistance via inducing ferroptosis.

CONCLUSION

Since apoptosis resistance has been reported to be the underlying mechanism of therapy resistance in PCa, DATS could be used to effectively target PCa cells by overcoming apoptosis resistance and inducing ferroptosis-mediated cell death of PCa cells.

Stable Sodium Metal Anode Enabled by an Interface Protection Layer Rich in Organic Sulfide Salt

Sodium (Na) metal is considered as a promising anode candidate for large-scale energy storage systems because of its high theoretical capacity and low electrochemical redox potential. However, Na anode suffers from a few challenges, such as the dendrite growth and severe parasitic reactions with electrolytes, which greatly hinder its practical applications. In this work, we demonstrate that an organosulfur compound additive (tetramethylthiuram disulfide) provides a facile and promising approach to overcome the above challenges in carbonate-based electrolytes. This unique organosulfur additive can in situ form a stable interfacial protection layer rich in organic sulfide salts on the sodium metal surface during cycling, leading to a stable stripping/plating cycling. Additionally, a cycling Coulombic efficiency of 94.25% is achieved, and the full battery using Prussian Blue as a cathode delivers a reversible capacity of 86.2 mAh g^-1 with a capacity retention of 80% after 600 cycles at 4 C.

Structures of Cyclic Organosulfur Compounds From Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Leaves

Five new cyclic organosulfur compounds, foliogarlic disulfanes A₁ (1), A₂ (2), and A₃ (3) and foliogarlic trisulfane A₁ (4) and A₂ (5), were isolated from the leaves of Allium sativum (garlic). The chemical structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of physicochemical evidence including Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Mass Spectrometry (MS). Compounds 1-5 were obtained as complex compounds with disulfane or trisulfane and tetrahydro-2H-difuro[3,2-b:2',3'-c]furan-5(5aH)-one. In addition, the hypothetical biosynthetic pathways of these compounds were suggested.

Sulfuric Odor Precursor S-Allyl-l-Cysteine Sulfoxide in Garlic Induces Detoxifying Enzymes and Prevents Hepatic Injury

S-Allyl-l-cysteine sulfoxide (ACSO) is a precursor of garlic-odor compounds like diallyl disulfide (DADS) and diallyl trisulfide (DATS) known as bioactive components. ACSO has suitable properties as a food material because it is water-soluble, odorless, tasteless and rich in bulbs of fresh garlic. The present study was conducted to examine the preventive effect of ACSO on hepatic injury induced by CCl₄ in rats. ACSO, its analogs and garlic-odor compounds were each orally administered via gavage for five consecutive days before inducing hepatic injury. Then, biomarkers for hepatic injury and antioxidative state were measured. Furthermore, we evaluated the absorption and metabolism of ACSO in the small intestine of rats and NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) nuclear translocation by ACSO using HepG2 cells. As a result, ACSO, DADS and DATS significantly suppressed the increases in biomarkers for hepatic injury such as the activities of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and decreases in antioxidative potency such as glutathione (GSH) level and the activities of glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). We also found ACSO was absorbed into the portal vein from the small intestine but partially metabolized to DADS probably in the small intestine. In in vitro study, ACSO induced Nrf2 nuclear translocation in HepG2 cells, which is recognized as an initial trigger to induce antioxidative and detoxifying enzymes. Taken together, orally administered ACSO probably reached the liver and induced antioxidative and detoxifying enzymes by Nrf2 nuclear translocation, resulting in prevention of hepatic injury. DADS produced by the metabolism of ACSO in the small intestine might also have contributed to the prevention of hepatic injury. These results suggest potential use of ACSO in functional foods that prevent hepatic injury and other diseases caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Whole Transcriptome Sequencing Analysis of the Synergistic Antimicrobial Effect of Metal Oxide Nanoparticles and Ajoene on Campylobacter jejuni

Two metal oxide (i.e., Al₂O₃ and TiO₂) nanoparticles and ajoene, a garlic-derived organosulfur compound, were identified to be effective antimicrobials against Campylobacter jejuni, a leading cause of human gastrointestinal diseases worldwide. A significant synergistic antimicrobial effect was observed using ajoene and Al₂O₃/TiO₂ nanoparticles in a combined manner to cause at least 8 log₁₀ CFU/mL reduction of C. jejuni cells. Whole transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) and confocal micro-Raman spectroscopic analyses revealed the antimicrobial mechanism and identified the roles of ajoene and metal oxide nanoparticles in the synergistic treatment. Ajoene and metal oxide nanoparticles mediated a two-phase antimicrobial mechanism. Ajoene served as the inducing factor at the first phase that caused injury of cell membranes and increased the susceptibility of C. jejuni to stress. Metal oxide nanoparticles served as the active factor at the second phase that targeted sensitive cells and physically disrupted cell structure. This synergistic antimicrobial treatment demonstrates a potential to reduce the prevalence of C. jejuni and other pathogens on food contact surfaces and in the food chain.

Optimization of Extraction of Cycloalliin from Garlic (Allium sativum L.) by Using Principal Components Analysis

In this study, we report the optimal extraction conditions for obtaining organosulfur compounds, such as cycloalliin, from garlic by using principal component analysis (PCA). Extraction variables including temperature (40~80°C), time (0.5~12 h), and pH (4~12) were investigated for the highest cycloalliin yields. The cycloalliin yield (5.5 mmol/mL) at pH 10 was enhanced by ~40% relative to those (~3.9 mmol/mL) at pH 4 and pH 6. The cycloalliin level at 80°C showed the highest yield among the tested temperatures (5.05 mmol/mL). Prolonged extraction times also increased cycloalliin yield; the yield after 12 h was enhanced ~2-fold (4 mmol/mL) compared to the control. Isoalliin and cycloalliin levels were inversely correlated, whereas a direct correlation between polyphenol and cycloalliin levels was observed. In storage for 30 days, garlic stored at 60°C (11 mmol/mL) showed higher levels of cycloalliin and polyphenols than those at 40°C, with the maximum cycloalliin level (13 mmol/mL) on day 15. Based on the PCA analysis, the isoalliin level depended on the extraction time, while cycloalliin amounts were influenced not only by extraction time, but also by pH and temperature. Taken together, extraction of garlic at 80°C, with an incubation time of 12 h, at pH 10 afforded the maximum yield of cycloalliin.

Change in organosulfur compounds in onion (Allium cepa L.) during heat treatment

Changes in contents of the S-alk(en)yl-L-cysteine sulfoxides (ACSOs) methiin, isoalliin, propiin, and cycloalliin in onions after boiling, frying, steaming, and microwaving were investigated using Liquid Chromatography Electrospray Ionization-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS). ACSOs contents increased by 34.2-568.0% during frying, steaming and microwaving, whereas ACSOs contents decreased by 32.6-69.4% during boiling. The methiin level in heat-treated onions ranged from 0.18 to 0.47 g/100 g of dry weight (DW), and the cycloalliin concentration in heat-treated onions ranged from 0.31 to 3.50 g/100 g of DW. The amount of isoalliin in processed onions was 0.34-3.32 g/100 g of DW, and propiin was 0.15-1.67 g/100 g of DW. Changes in the ACSO concentrations were dependent on the cooking method. The quality of heat processed onions was evaluated.

Enhancing effects of organosulfur compounds from garlic and onions on hepatocarcinogenesis in rats: association with increased cell proliferation and elevated ornithine decarboxylase activity

Four organosulfur compounds from garlic and onions were examined for modifying effects on diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced neoplasia of the liver in male F344 rats using the medium-term bioassay system based on the two-step model of hepatocarcinogenesis. Carcinogenic potential was scored by comparing the numbers and areas per cm2 of induced glutathione S-transferase placental form-positive foci. Isothiocyanic acid isobutyl ester (IAIE), dipropyl trisulfide (DPT), and allyl mercapton (AM) exerted enhancing effects on their development, while dimethyl trisulfide also tended to increase them. To investigate possible mechanisms of the modifying influence, sequential changes in ornithine decarboxylase activity (ODC) over 24 h were measured in AM-treated liver tissue without prior DEN initiation. The activity started to increase by 4 h after AM-treatment, and reached maximum at 16 h, compared to controls. Spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase activity was not significantly changed. An increase in proliferating cell nuclear antigen-positive cells followed the elevation of ODC activity. These results suggest that IAIE, DPT, and AM promote rat hepatocarcinogenesis and their promoting effect might be caused by increased cell proliferation with increased polyamine biosynthesis. In evaluating relationships between diet and cancer, it is thus appropriate to consider not only a possible protective role of garlic and onions, but also enhancing effects.