Ajoene
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Ajoene (Ajoene (4,5,9-trithiadodeca-1,6,11-triene 9-oxide)) is a dietary supplement with 8 published peer-reviewed studies involving 365 participants, researched for Anticancer Activity, Antiplatelet & Cardiovascular Effects, Antimicrobial & Anti-inflammatory Effects and 1 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Anticancer Activity
ModerateAntiplatelet & Cardiovascular Effects
ModerateAntimicrobial & Anti-inflammatory Effects
WeakReviews & Mechanisms
WeakResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Anticancer Activity
To characterise ajoene's selective cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction in leukaemia cells.
Study Type
In vitro mechanistic study
Purpose
To characterise ajoene's selective cytotoxicity and apoptosis induction in leukaemia cells.
Dose
2.5-20 µM ajoene
Participants
HL60 and Jurkat leukaemia cell lines
Duration
24-72 hours
Results
Ajoene selectively induced apoptosis in leukaemia cells via mitochondrial pathway with caspase-3 activation; minimal cytotoxicity toward normal lymphocytes at equivalent doses.
How They Measured It
MTT cell viability, annexin V/PI apoptosis assay, caspase-3 activation, PARP cleavage
To report topical ajoene gel for treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Study Type
Clinical case study
Purpose
To report topical ajoene gel for treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis.
Dose
Topical 0.1% ajoene gel applied twice daily
Participants
22 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis (Venezuela)
Duration
30-60 days
Results
Complete clinical cure in 72% of patients; topical ajoene showed comparable efficacy to meglumine antimoniate with fewer side effects.
How They Measured It
Lesion size reduction, parasite clearance, clinical response
To investigate ajoene's anti-tumour activity against prostate cancer cells and xenografts.
Study Type
In vitro and animal study
Purpose
To investigate ajoene's anti-tumour activity against prostate cancer cells and xenografts.
Dose
10-30 µM ajoene; 10-30 mg/kg in animals
Participants
PC3 and LNCaP cells; nude mouse xenograft
Duration
3-4 weeks
Results
Ajoene inhibited prostate cancer cell growth via EGFR/Akt pathway suppression; xenograft tumour volume reduced by 55% vs vehicle control.
How They Measured It
Cell proliferation, tumour volume (xenograft), EGFR signalling, PI3K/Akt pathway
Antiplatelet & Cardiovascular Effects
To evaluate ajoene's inhibition of platelet aggregation and its mechanism.
Study Type
Ex vivo platelet study
Purpose
To evaluate ajoene's inhibition of platelet aggregation and its mechanism.
Dose
1-30 µM ajoene
Participants
Human platelet-rich plasma
Duration
Ex vivo aggregation assay
Results
Ajoene potently inhibited platelet aggregation induced by all agonists (IC50 ~10 µM); mechanism included inhibition of TXA2 synthesis and GPIIb/IIIa fibrinogen binding.
How They Measured It
ADP-, collagen-, and arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation; TXA2 production
To assess ajoene-containing garlic preparation on platelet aggregation ex vivo.
Study Type
Small clinical study
Purpose
To assess ajoene-containing garlic preparation on platelet aggregation ex vivo.
Dose
Garlic extract equivalent to 2 mg ajoene daily
Participants
16 healthy volunteers
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Significant reduction in ADP-induced platelet aggregation (-35%) and trend toward prolonged bleeding time; no adverse haematological effects.
How They Measured It
ADP-induced platelet aggregation; bleeding time
Antimicrobial & Anti-inflammatory Effects
To characterise ajoene's antifungal activity against Candida species.
Study Type
In vitro antimicrobial study
Purpose
To characterise ajoene's antifungal activity against Candida species.
Dose
0.5-100 µg/mL ajoene
Participants
Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C. glabrata clinical isolates
Duration
24-48 hours
Results
Ajoene inhibited Candida growth (MIC 4-32 µg/mL) and biofilm formation; mechanism involved disruption of ergosterol biosynthesis.
How They Measured It
MIC and MFC determination; biofilm inhibition; ergosterol biosynthesis
To investigate ajoene's suppression of inflammatory cytokine production in macrophages.
Study Type
In vitro anti-inflammatory study
Purpose
To investigate ajoene's suppression of inflammatory cytokine production in macrophages.
Dose
1-10 µM ajoene
Participants
Murine macrophage cell line RAW264.7
Duration
6-24 hours
Results
Ajoene significantly suppressed LPS-induced TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and iNOS expression via NF-kB inhibition.
How They Measured It
LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells; TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6 ELISA; iNOS expression
Reviews & Mechanisms
To comprehensively review the pharmacological properties and clinical applications of ajoene.
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To comprehensively review the pharmacological properties and clinical applications of ajoene.
Dose
Various
Participants
Multiple studies reviewed
Duration
Review
Results
Ajoene is a potent garlic-derived compound with anticancer, antiplatelet, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities; clinical evidence strongest for antiplatelet effects and topical antileishmanial use.
How They Measured It
Literature synthesis
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Ajoene research
There are currently 8 peer-reviewed studies on Ajoene (Ajoene (4,5,9-trithiadodeca-1,6,11-triene 9-oxide)), involving 365 total participants. Research covers Anticancer, Antiplatelet, Antimicrobial and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Moderate.
The evidence is currently rated as "Moderate Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (2 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Ajoene has been researched for: Anticancer, Antiplatelet, Antimicrobial, Anti-inflammatory. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 2 out of 8 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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