Apoptosis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells induced by S-alkenylmercaptocysteine (CySSR) species derived from Allium tissues in combination with sodium selenite.

Highlights: [•] S-Allylmercaptocysteines (CySSR) act synergistically with sodium selenite to mediate apoptosis in breast cancer cells. [•] The major CySSRs derived from onion and garlic are similarly potent, but act preferentially on different cellular targets. [•] The proposed mechanism is that cells import and reduce CySSR, then export thiols to reduce selenite to the cytotoxic H2Se. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]