Evaluation of biological activities of onion from Turkey and determination of phytochemical contents

Sevinj Hajiguliyeva; Sezen Yılmaz Sarıaltın; Ekin Kurtul; Müjde Eryilmaz; Suna Sibel Rizvanoğlu; Büşra Yaylacı; Tülay Çoban; Özlem Bahadır Acıkara

Evaluation of biological activities of onion from Turkey and determination of phytochemical contents

Abstract

Allium cepa L. belonging to Amaryllidaceae, is considered to be one of the most cultivated and consumed vegetable in the world. Besides nutritional value, as medicinal usage has also been reported. Onion has been cultivated widely and used as a vegetable mainly, in Turkey. Treatment of wounds, abscess, hemorrhoids, arteriosclerosis, gynecological problems, urinary inflammation, headache, cough by usage of onion and its diuretic and hypoglycemic activities are recorded in Turkish folk medicine. In this study, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities and total phenolic-flavonoid contents of red, white and yellow onion samples from Ankara-Turkey, were investigated. The peels and tissues of onion samples were extracted by sonication with 80% ethanol at room temperature. Phytochemical contents were investigated by High Performance Liquid Chromatography. The highest amount of quercetin was detected in red onion peel (0.3169 mg/100 mg); and protocatechuic acid in yellow onion peel (0.3492 mg/100 mg). Determining the antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa by using microbroth dilution method, peel extracts exhibited higher activity than tissues. Yellow onion peel displayed the best 2,2’-azino bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) and 2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity (IC50=0.0125 and 0.0433 mg/ml, respectively) and also human red blood cell membrane stabilization activity which was used as a marker of anti-inflammatory activity (IC50=0.5363 mg/ml). Supporting these biological activities, the highest flavonoid content was determined in yellow onion peel (186.9250 mg QE/g crude extract). Additionally, red onion peel displayed the highest superoxide anion radical scavenging activity (IC50=0.0987 mg/ml). All results have revealed that peel extracts possessed higher activity than tissues.

Keywords

References

[1] Corzo-Martinez M, Corzo N, Villamiel M. Biological properties of onions and garlic. Trends Food Sci Technol. 2007; 18(12): 609–625.
[2] Kabrah A. Master Thesis. The antibacterial activity of onion on MSSA and MRSA isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. Medical Laboratory Science, Quinnipiac University, Connecticut, United States, 2010.
[3] Silambarasan R, Ayyanar M. An ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Palamalai region of Eastern ghats, India. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015; 172: 162-178.
[4] Baytop T, Türkiye'de Bitkilerle Tedavi Geçmişte ve Bugün, ikinci baskı. Nobel Tıp, İstanbul, Turkey 1999.
[5] Günbatan T, Gürbüz I, Gençler-Özkan AM. The current status of ethnopharmacobotanical knowledge in Çamlıdere (Ankara, Turkey). Turk J Botany. 2016; 40: 241–249.
[6] Hollman PCH, Arts ICW. Flavonols, flavones and flavanols–nature, occurrence and dietary burden. J Sci Food Agric. 2000; 80(7): 1081–1093.
[7] Teshika JD, Aummeeruddy MZ, Zaynab T, Zengin G, Kannan RRR, Pandian SK, Fawzi MM. Traditional and modern uses of onion bulb (Allium cepa L.): a systematic review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019; 59: 39-70.
[8] Vazquez-Armenta F, Ayala-Zavala J, Olivas G, Molina-Corral F, Silva-Espinoza B. Antibrowning and antimicrobial effects of onion essential oil to preserve the quality of cut potatoes. Acta Aliment. 2014; 43(4): 640–649.

[9]Imai S, Tsuge N, Tomotake M, Nagatome Y, Sawada H, Nagata T, Kumagai H. Plant biochemistry: an onion enzyme that makes the eyes water. Nature. 2002; 419: 685.
[10] Thomas DJ, Parkin KL. Quantification of alk (en) ylL-cysteine sulfoxides and related amino acids in alliums by high performance liquid chromatography. J Agric Food Chem. 1994; 42(8): 1632–1638.
[11] Yoo KS, Pike L, Crosby K, Jones R, Leskovar D. Differences in onion pungency due to cultivars, growth environment, and bulb sizes. Sci Hortic. 2006; 110(2): 144–149.
[12] Rose P, Whiteman M, Moore PK, Zhu YZ. Bioactive S-alk(en)yl cysteine sulfoxide metabolites in the Genus Allium: the chemistry of potential therapeutic agents. Nat Prod Rep. 2005; 36(35): 351–368.
[13] Wang HX, Ng TB. Isolation of allicepin, a novel antifungal peptide from onion (Allium cepa) bulbs. J Pept Sci. 2004; 10(3): 173–177.
[14] Santas J, Almajano MP, Carbo R. Antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of crude onion (Allium cepa L.) extracts. Int J Food Sci Technol. 2010; 45 (2): 403–409.
[15] Borjihan B, Ogita A, Fujita KI, Doe M, Tanaka T. The cyclic organosulfur compound zwiebelane a from onion (Allium cepa) functions as an enhancer of polymyxin B in fungal vacuole disruption. Planta Med. 2010; 76 (16): 1864–1866.
[16] Akash MSH, Rehman K, Chen S. Spice plant Allium cepa: Dietary supplement for treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Nutrition. 2014; 30(10): 1128–1137.
[17] Kumari K, Augusti K. Antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of S-methyl cysteine sulfoxide isolated from onions (Allium cepa Linn) as compared to standard drugs in Alloxan diabetic rats. Indian J Exp Biol. 2002; 40: 1005–1009.
[18] Rodrigues AS, Almeida DPF, Simal-Gándara J, Pérez-Gregorio M. Onions: A Source of Flavonoids. In: Justino GC (ed). Flavonoids - From Biosynthesis to Human Health. Intech, London, 2017, pp. 439-471.
[19] Putnik P, Gabrić D, Roohinejad S, Barba FJ, Granato D, Mallikarjunan K, Lorenzo JM, Kovacevic DB. An overview of organosulfur compounds from Allium spp.: From processing and preservation to evaluation of their bioavailability, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Food Chem. 2019; 276: 680-691.
[20] Lee B, Jung J, Kim H. Assessment of red onion on antioxidant activity in rat. Food Chem Toxicol. 2012; 50 (11): 3912– 3219.
[21] Ouyang H, Hou K, Peng W, Liu Z, Deng H. Antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities of total polyphenols from Onion. Saudi J Biol Sci. 2018; 1: 3–7.
[22] Qadir MA, Shahzadi SK, Bashir A, Munir A, Shahzad S. Evaluation of phenolic compounds and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of some common herbs. Int J Anal Chem. 2017; 2017: 1-6.
[23] Yang SJ, Paudel P, Shresta S, Seong SH, Jung HA, Choi JS. In vitro protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibition and antioxidant property of different onion peel cultivars: A comparative study. Food Sci Nutr. 2018; 7(1): 205-215.
[24] Nuutila AM, Puupponen-Pimia R, Aarni M, Oksman-Caldentey KM. Comparison of antioxidant activities of onion and garlic extracts by inhibition of lipid peroxidation and radical scavenging activity. Food Chem. 2003; 81: 485-493.
[25] Alpsoy S, Aktas C, Uygur R, Topcu B, Kanter M, Erboga M, Karakaya O, Gedikbasi A. Antioxidant and anti‐apoptotic effects of onion (Allium cepa) extract on doxorubicin‐induced cardiotoxicity in rats. J Appl Toxicol. 2013; 33 (3): 202– 208.
[26] Abdel-Salam AF, Shahenda ME, Jehan BA. Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of red onion, garlic and leek in sausage. Afr J Microbiol Res. 2014; 8(27): 2574-2582.
[27] Benkeblia N. Antimicrobial activity of essential oil extracts of various onions (Allium cepa) and garlic (Allium sativum). Lebensm Wiss Technol. 2004; 37(2): 263–268.
[28] Benmalek Y, Yahia OA, Belkebir A, Fardeau ML. Antimicrobial and anti-oxidant activities of Illicium verum, Crataegus oxyacantha ssp monogyna and Allium cepa red and white varieties. Bioengineered. 2013; 4(4): 244–248.
[29] Breu W, Dorsch W. Allium cepa L. (onion). Chemistry, analysis and pharmacology. In: Wagner H, Farnsworth NR (Eds). Economic Medicinal Plant Research (Book 6).Academic Press, London, 1994, pp.115- 147.
[30] Zhishen J, Mengcheng T, Jianming W. The determination of flavonoid contents in mulberry and their scavenging effects on superoxide radicals. Food Chem. 1999; 64: 555-559.
[31] Spanos GA, Wrolstad RE. Influence of processing and storage on the phenolic composition of Thompson seedless grape juice. J Agric Food Chem. 1990; 38: 1565–1571.
[32] Sarialtin SY, Coban T. An Overview on the Role of Macular Xanthophylls in Ocular Diseases. Rec Nat Prod 2018; 12(2): 107-120.
[33] Blois MS. Antioxidant determination by the use of a stable free radical. Nature. 1958; 181: 1199–1200.
[34] Hürkul, M.M., Sarıaltın, S.Y., Köroğlu, A., & Çoban, T. In vitro inhibitory potential of avocado fruits, Persea americana (Lauraceae) against oxidation, inflammation and key enzymes linked to skin diseases. Revista de Biología Tropical, 2021; 69(2), 472-481.
[35] McCord JM, Fridovich I. Superoxide Dismutase: an enzymic function for erythrocruorin, (Hemocuprein). J Biol Chem. 1969; 244(22): 49-55.
[36] Yalcin CÖ, Yilmaz Sarialtin S, Cicek Polat D. Quantification of phenolic and flavonoid contents and some biological activities of Ornithogalum sigmoideum Freyn & Sint. J Res Pharm. 2020; 24(4): 487-496.
[37] Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. Methods for dilution antimicrobial susceptibility tests for bacteria that grow aerobically: approved standard-8th edition. CLSI document M7-A8. USA 2009.
[38] European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST). Breakpoint tables for interpretation of MICs and zone diameters. Version 3.1. 2013.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pharmacognosy

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Sevinj Hajiguliyeva ^* This is me
Türkiye

Sezen Yılmaz Sarıaltın
Türkiye

Ekin Kurtul
Türkiye

Müjde Eryilmaz
Türkiye

Suna Sibel Rizvanoğlu This is me
Türkiye

Büşra Yaylacı
Türkiye

Tülay Çoban
Türkiye

Özlem Bahadır Acıkara
Türkiye

Publication Date

June 28, 2025

Submission Date

May 15, 2021

Acceptance Date

July 21, 2021

Published in Issue

Year 2021 Volume: 25 Number: 5

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA89EY72YN

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Hajiguliyeva, S., Yılmaz Sarıaltın, S., Kurtul, E., Eryilmaz, M., Rizvanoğlu, S. S., Yaylacı, B., Çoban, T., & Bahadır Acıkara, Ö. (2025). Evaluation of biological activities of onion from Turkey and determination of phytochemical contents. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, 25(5), 554-563. https://izlik.org/JA89EY72YN

AMA

1.Hajiguliyeva S, Yılmaz Sarıaltın S, Kurtul E, et al. Evaluation of biological activities of onion from Turkey and determination of phytochemical contents. J. Res. Pharm. 2025;25(5):554-563. https://izlik.org/JA89EY72YN

Chicago

Hajiguliyeva, Sevinj, Sezen Yılmaz Sarıaltın, Ekin Kurtul, et al. 2025. “Evaluation of Biological Activities of Onion from Turkey and Determination of Phytochemical Contents”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 25 (5): 554-63. https://izlik.org/JA89EY72YN.

EndNote

Hajiguliyeva S, Yılmaz Sarıaltın S, Kurtul E, Eryilmaz M, Rizvanoğlu SS, Yaylacı B, Çoban T, Bahadır Acıkara Ö (July 1, 2025) Evaluation of biological activities of onion from Turkey and determination of phytochemical contents. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 25 5 554–563.

IEEE

[1]S. Hajiguliyeva et al., “Evaluation of biological activities of onion from Turkey and determination of phytochemical contents”, J. Res. Pharm., vol. 25, no. 5, pp. 554–563, July 2025, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA89EY72YN

ISNAD

Hajiguliyeva, Sevinj - Yılmaz Sarıaltın, Sezen - Kurtul, Ekin - Eryilmaz, Müjde - Rizvanoğlu, Suna Sibel - Yaylacı, Büşra - Çoban, Tülay - Bahadır Acıkara, Özlem. “Evaluation of Biological Activities of Onion from Turkey and Determination of Phytochemical Contents”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy 25/5 (July 1, 2025): 554-563. https://izlik.org/JA89EY72YN.

JAMA

1.Hajiguliyeva S, Yılmaz Sarıaltın S, Kurtul E, Eryilmaz M, Rizvanoğlu SS, Yaylacı B, Çoban T, Bahadır Acıkara Ö. Evaluation of biological activities of onion from Turkey and determination of phytochemical contents. J. Res. Pharm. 2025;25:554–563.

MLA

Hajiguliyeva, Sevinj, et al. “Evaluation of Biological Activities of Onion from Turkey and Determination of Phytochemical Contents”. Journal of Research in Pharmacy, vol. 25, no. 5, July 2025, pp. 554-63, https://izlik.org/JA89EY72YN.

Vancouver

1.Sevinj Hajiguliyeva, Sezen Yılmaz Sarıaltın, Ekin Kurtul, Müjde Eryilmaz, Suna Sibel Rizvanoğlu, Büşra Yaylacı, Tülay Çoban, Özlem Bahadır Acıkara. Evaluation of biological activities of onion from Turkey and determination of phytochemical contents. J. Res. Pharm. [Internet]. 2025 Jul. 1;25(5):554-63. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA89EY72YN