Allium cepa L.
This was definitely one of the most frustrating topics to research and write about. Several of the journal articles are behind paywalls, and unfortunately, I don’t have the means to fork out $40-50 per article. For many of the conditions that onions have been used historically and in modern times to treat, the preparations used are not provided in the abstract (what I can access online). Furthermore, in what I have been able to access, the results presented seem a bit contradictory. I was about to abandon this topic to the trash heap.
However, there has been some really interesting research conducted on the synergistic effect of onions and dexamethasone, a steroid used in asthma management, and the information may be crucial to asthmatics.
Those of you who have been acquiring essential medications already know that steroids are extremely difficult to come by. For most of us, the only way to get them is to save the leftovers from a prescription. Unfortunately, for asthmatics stockpiling is difficult. Many physicians are reluctant to prescribe enough for a patient to get ahead. And steroid use needs to be monitored so that the patient isn’t taking more than is absolutely essential. Steroids have some very undesirable side effects. At the same time, not having these essential steroids also has a nasty side effect for the asthmatics.
So that’s why the research out of Kuwait, published 18 months ago, is so intriguing. Scientists there demonstrated that a combination of 30 mg/kg red onion bulb extract and a low dose of dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg) was as effective as a high dose (3 mg/kg) of the latter in managing asthma. The combination has all of the advantages of the high dose without the usual steroid toxicity. And it would let the patient stretch out the supply of a precious commodity.[1] To date, the research has only been conducted on mice.
Here are some quick facts highlighting the differences in different types of onions.
· Yellow onions contain the most flavonoids.
· Red and yellow onions have more antioxidants than white onions.
· One study showed that quercetin levels were highest in red onions.[2]
· Another showed that quercetin levels are highest in the dry skin.[3]
· Sweet onions like Vidalia exhibited the weakest effects.[4]
Nutritional value. Good source for vitamin C (13% RDA), vitamin B6 (11% RDA), and folate (8%).[5]
PREPARATIONS
Juice. Fresh onions are diced and then mashed with a mortar and pestle and the fluid squeezed out daily. The juice was prepared on a daily basis. Administered in doses of 3 ml/100g weight.
Normal culinary use. A 2008 study showed that blanching, frying, or microwaving did not significantly affect antioxidant activity of the level of bioactive compounds. However, another study in 2012 revealed that baking or microwaving onions (as in casseroles) not only reduced onion anti-platelet activity in a dose-dependent manner, but also actually stimulated platelet aggregation.[6]
MODERN USAGE
· Cardiovascular
o Angina[7]
o Heart attack (methanol extract prevented or attenuated)[8]
o High cholesterol
§ One study showed that 100 ml onion juice per day for 11 weeks significantly increased good cholesterol levels while decreasing bad cholesterol levels)[9]
§ Another showed that 100 ml onion juice per day for 10 weeks decreased total cholesterol, especially LDL levels, and reduced waist circumference.[10]
o Hypertension[11]
o Stroke (methanol extract prevented or attenuated)[12]
· Endocrine
o Type 2 diabetes
§ Consumption of raw slices reduced blood sugars in clinical studies[13]
§ Juice also significantly decreased blood glucose levels, and in doses of 3 mL/100 g, was shown to be as effective as glibenclamide.[14]
· Gastrointestinal
o Cholera (tea)[15]
· Hepatic
o Hepatitis
o Jaundice[20]
· Musculoskeletal
o Arthritis (tea)[21]
o Osteoporosis (100 ml juice per day)[22]
· Neurological
o Headache (tea)[23]
o Migraine[24]
o Vertigo[25]
· Respiratory
o Asthma, red onion infusion[26] [27]
o Common cold (tea)[28]
o Cough[29]
o Earache (few drops of onion juice in ear)[30]
o Influenza[33]
o Sore throat
o Tinnitus (few drops of onion juice in ear)[34]
· Skin
o Alopecia areata (onion juice applied to affected areas)[35]
o Bee and wasp stings[36]
o Bruises[37]
o Burns[38]
o Pimples[39]
o Scar reduction
o Wound healing
§ Tincture applied topically[40]
§ Infusion, 300 mg/kg[41]
· Urogenital
o Dysmenorrhea[42]
· Cancer
· Pain
o Acute and chronic pain, fresh onion juice, 10 mg/kg[43]
Links to related posts:
[1] AZ El-Hashim, et al., Onion Bulb Extract Downregulates EGFR/ERK1/2/AKT Signaling Pathway and Synergizes With Steroids to Inhibit Allergic Inflammation, Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2020, Vol 11, https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fphar.2020.551683 (accessed 8 February 2022).
[2] S Gorinstein, et al., Comparison of the main bioactive compounds and antioxidant activities in garlic and white and red onions after treatment protocols, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 25 June 2008, Vol 56 No 12, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18494496/ (accessed 7 February 2022).
[3] Narges Marefati, et al., A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of Allium cepa and its main constituents, Pharmaceutical Biology, 2021, Vol 59 No 1, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880209.2021.1874028 (accessed 7 February 2022).
[4] J Yang, et al., Varietal differences in phenolic content and antioxidant and antiproliferative activities of onions, Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 3 November 2004, Vol 52 No 22, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15506817/ (accessed 7 February 2022).
[5] https://tools.myfooddata.com/nutrition-facts/170000/wt1/1 (accessed 7 February 2022).
[6]
PF Cavagnaro, et al., Effect
of processing and cooking conditions on onion (Allium cepa L.) induced
antiplatelet activity and thiosulfinate content, Journal of Agricultural and
Food Chemistry, 5 September 2012, Vol 60 No 35, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22881190/
(accessed 7 February 2022).
[7] Narges Marefati, et al., A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of Allium cepa and its main constituents, Pharmaceutical Biology, 2021, Vol 59 No 1, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880209.2021.1874028 (accessed 7 February 2022).
[8] R Shri, et al., Neuroprotective effect of methanolic extracts of Allium cepa on ischemia and reperfusion-induced cerebral injury, Fitoterapia, February 2008, Vol 79 No 2, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17900821/ (accessed 7 February 2022).
[9] Arka Jyoti Chakraborty, et al., Allium cepa: A Treasure of Bioactive Phytochemicals with Prospective Health Benefits, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Vol 2022, https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2022/4586318/ (accessed 7 February 2022).
[10] TM Lu, et al., Hypocholesterolemic Efficacy of Quercetin Rich Onion Juice in Healthy Mild Hypercholesterolemic Adults: A Pilot Study, Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, December 2015, Vol 70 No 4, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26385226/ (accessed 8 February 2022).
[11] AZ El-Hashim, et al., Onion Bulb Extract Downregulates EGFR/ERK1/2/AKT Signaling Pathway and Synergizes With Steroids to Inhibit Allergic Inflammation, Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2020, Vol 11, https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fphar.2020.551683 (accessed 8 February 2022).
[12] R Shri, et al., Neuroprotective effect of methanolic extracts of Allium cepa on ischemia and reperfusion-induced cerebral injury, Fitoterapia, February 2008, Vol 79 No 2, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17900821/ (accessed 7 February 2022).
[13] Muhammad Sajid Hamid Akash, et al., Spice plant Allium cepa: Dietary supplement for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, Nutrition, Vol 30 No 10, 2014, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0899900714000963 (accessed 7 February 2022).
[14] A. I Airaodion, et al., Hypolipidaemic and antidiabetic potency of Allium cepa (onions) bulb in alloxan-induced diabetic rats, Acta Scientific Nutritional Health, 2020, Vol 4 No 3, https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2022/4586318/ (accessed 7 February 2022).
[15] Narges Marefati, et al., A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of Allium cepa and its main constituents, Pharmaceutical Biology, 2021, Vol 59 No 1, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880209.2021.1874028 (accessed 7 February 2022).
[16] AZ El-Hashim, et al., Onion Bulb Extract Downregulates EGFR/ERK1/2/AKT Signaling Pathway and Synergizes With Steroids to Inhibit Allergic Inflammation, Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2020, Vol 11,https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fphar.2020.551683 (accessed 8 February 2022).
[17] MA Khajah, et al., Onion bulb extract can both reverse and prevent colitis in mice via inhibition of pro-inflammatory signaling molecules and neutrophil activity, PLoS One, 23 October 2020, Vol 15 No 10, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33095803/ (accessed 8 February 2022).
[18] Narges Marefati, et al., A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of Allium cepa and its main constituents, Pharmaceutical Biology, 2021, Vol 59 No 1, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880209.2021.1874028 (accessed 7 February 2022).
[19] AZ El-Hashim, et al., Onion Bulb Extract Downregulates EGFR/ERK1/2/AKT Signaling Pathway and Synergizes With Steroids to Inhibit Allergic Inflammation, Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2020, Vol 11, https://www.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fphar.2020.551683 (accessed 8 February 2022).
[20] Narges Marefati, et al., A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of Allium cepa and its main constituents, Pharmaceutical Biology, 2021, Vol 59 No 1, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880209.2021.1874028 (accessed 7 February 2022).
[21] Narges Marefati, et al., A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of Allium cepa and its main constituents, Pharmaceutical Biology, 2021, Vol 59 No 1, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880209.2021.1874028 (accessed 7 February 2022).
[22] YY Law, et al., Consumption of onion juice modulates oxidative stress and attenuates the risk of bone disorders in middle-aged and post-menopausal healthy subjects, Food and Function, February 2016, Vol 7 No 2, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26686359/ (accessed 8 February 2022).
[23] Narges Marefati, et al., A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of Allium cepa and its main constituents, Pharmaceutical Biology, 2021, Vol 59 No 1, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880209.2021.1874028 (accessed 7 February 2022).
[24] Narges Marefati, et al., A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of Allium cepa and its main constituents, Pharmaceutical Biology, 2021, Vol 59 No 1, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880209.2021.1874028 (accessed 7 February 2022).
[25] Narges Marefati, et al., A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of Allium cepa and its main constituents, Pharmaceutical Biology, 2021, Vol 59 No 1, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880209.2021.1874028 (accessed 7 February 2022).
[26] W Dorsch, et al., Anti-asthmatic effects of onions. Alk(en)ylsulfinothioic acid alk(en)yl-esters inhibit histamine release, leukotriene and thromboxane biosynthesis in vitro and counteract PAF and allergen-induced bronchial obstruction in vivo, Biochemical Pharmacology, 1 December 1988, Vol 37 No 23, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2462422/ (accessed 7 February 2022).
[27] Narges Marefati, et al., A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of Allium cepa and its main constituents, Pharmaceutical Biology, 2021, Vol 59 No 1, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880209.2021.1874028 (accessed 7 February 2022).
[28] Narges Marefati, et al., A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of Allium cepa and its main constituents, Pharmaceutical Biology, 2021, Vol 59 No 1, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880209.2021.1874028 (accessed 7 February 2022).
[29] Narges Marefati, et al., A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of Allium cepa and its main constituents, Pharmaceutical Biology, 2021, Vol 59 No 1, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880209.2021.1874028 (accessed 7 February 2022).
[30] Arka Jyoti Chakraborty, et al., Allium cepa: A Treasure of Bioactive Phytochemicals with Prospective Health Benefits, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Vol 2022, https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2022/4586318/ (accessed 7 February 2022).
[31] Narges Marefati, et al., A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of Allium cepa and its main constituents, Pharmaceutical Biology, 2021, Vol 59 No 1, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880209.2021.1874028 (accessed 7 February 2022).
[32] TM Lu, et al., Hypocholesterolemic Efficacy of Quercetin Rich Onion Juice in Healthy Mild Hypercholesterolemic Adults: A Pilot Study, Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, December 2015, Vol 70 No 4, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26385226/ (accessed 8 February 2022).
[33] Narges Marefati, et al., A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of Allium cepa and its main constituents, Pharmaceutical Biology, 2021, Vol 59 No 1, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880209.2021.1874028 (accessed 7 February 2022).
[34] Arka Jyoti Chakraborty, et al., Allium cepa: A Treasure of Bioactive Phytochemicals with Prospective Health Benefits, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Vol 2022, https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2022/4586318/ (accessed 7 February 2022).
[35] KE Sharquie, et al., Onion juice (Allium cepa L.), a new topical treatment for alopecia areata, Journal of Dermatology, June 2002, Vol 29 No 6, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1346-8138.2002.tb00277.x?sid=nlm%3Apubmed (accessed 8 February 2002).
[36] Narges Marefati, et al., A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of Allium cepa and its main constituents, Pharmaceutical Biology, 2021, Vol 59 No 1, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880209.2021.1874028 (accessed 7 February 2022).
[37] Narges Marefati, et al., A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of Allium cepa and its main constituents, Pharmaceutical Biology, 2021, Vol 59 No 1, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880209.2021.1874028 (accessed 7 February 2022).
[38] TM Lu, et al., Hypocholesterolemic Efficacy of Quercetin Rich Onion Juice in Healthy Mild Hypercholesterolemic Adults: A Pilot Study, Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, December 2015, Vol 70 No 4, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26385226/ (accessed 8 February 2022).
[39] Narges Marefati, et al., A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of Allium cepa and its main constituents, Pharmaceutical Biology, 2021, Vol 59 No 1, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880209.2021.1874028 (accessed 7 February 2022).
[40] Arka Jyoti Chakraborty, et al., Allium cepa: A Treasure of Bioactive Phytochemicals with Prospective Health Benefits, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Vol 2022, https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2022/4586318/ (accessed 7 February 2022).
[41] Narges Marefati, et al., A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of Allium cepa and its main constituents, Pharmaceutical Biology, 2021, Vol 59 No 1, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880209.2021.1874028 (accessed 7 February 2022).
[42] Narges Marefati, et al., A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of Allium cepa and its main constituents, Pharmaceutical Biology, 2021, Vol 59 No 1, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880209.2021.1874028 (accessed 7 February 2022).
[43] Narges Marefati, et al., A review of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects of Allium cepa and its main constituents, Pharmaceutical Biology, 2021, Vol 59 No 1, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13880209.2021.1874028 (accessed 7 February 2022).
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