Induction of histone acetylation and inhibition of growth of mouse erythroleukemia cells by S-allylmercaptocysteine.

Growth-inhibitory effects on DS19 mouse erythroleukemia cells were seen in the micromolar concentration range with allicin and S-allylmercaptocysteine and in the millimolar range with allyl butyrate, allyl phenyl sulfone, and S-allyl cysteine. Increased acetylation of histones was induced by incubation of cells with the allyl compounds at concentrations similar to those that resulted in the inhibition of cell proliferation. The induction of histone acetylation by S-allylmercaptocysteine was also observed in Caco-2 human colon cancer cells and T47D human breast cancer cells.