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Year: 2011 | Volume: 7 | Issue: 6 | Page No.: 736 - 744
Muhammad Nouman Sohail, Asia Karim, Muhammad Sarwar and Abobaker M. Alhasin
Abstract
Various diseases are common in Pakistani population and major reason for their prevalence is the lack of modern health facilities. Current review was aimed to find the potential medicinal uses of Allium cepa, which is a culinary herb. A number of studies have proven its potential use against human pathogenic organisms. Its extract and powder was found to have inhibitory activity against tumor cells. Moreover scientifically proven hypoglycemic, cardioprotective and hypolipidemic activities suggest its potential use in diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. It is also useful to reduce the risk of bone injuries especially in females. Onion is a rich source of flavonoids, polyphenols, organic sulfur, saponins and many other secondary metabolites, which are mainly responsible for its medicinal activities. Its organic sulfur compounds, which contribute for its different medicinal potentials are sensitive towards cooking; moreover this sensitivity is also variety dependant which means it’s more beneficial in its raw form. On the basis of reviewed literature it is concluded that it possesses significant beneficial health effects and its incorporation in daily food especially in raw form will provide protection against many diseases.