Differentiating and growth inhibitory effects of diallyl disulfide on cancer cells.

Diallyl disulfide caused growth inhibition and differentiation of DS19 mouse erythroleukemic cells as judged by hemoglobin synthesis and induction of acetylcholinesterase activity. There was a 50% inhibition of cell division at about 0.25 mM diallyl disulfide which was much more effective than diallyl sulfide. K562 human erythroleukemia cells and mouse melanoma cells were more resistant to the action of diallyl disulfide. Thymidine incorporation into DNA in 7800NJ and 7288CTC rat hepatoma cells and in T47D and MCF7 human breast cancer cells was inhibited by 1-2 mM diallyl disulfide. Administration of diallyl disulfide to rats bearing Morris hepatomas caused marked inhibitory effects on precursor incorporation into DNA and protein in both hepatomas and in livers after a dose of 400 mg/kg body weight, but only small differences were seen at a less toxic dose of 200 mg/kg.