Isolation and identification of potential cancer chemopreventive agents from methanolic extracts of green onion (Allium cepa)

A cellular bioassay was employed to direct the isolation of phase II enzyme inducers from methanolic extracts of green onion (Allium cepa). One identified compound, 5-hydroxy-3-methyl-4-propylsulfanyl-5H-furan-2-one (pictured), and four others, were isolated and confirmed to be quinone reductase and glutathione S-transferase inducers in vitro.