Ajoene is a phytonutrient derived from the Spanish word "ajo", meaning garlic.

It is a disulfide which is formed from the bonding of three allicin molecules.

Researchers have recently found ajoene has many health-promoting properties. It functions as an antioxidant, by inhibiting the release of superoxide. Ajoene also has antithrombotic (anti-clotting) properties, which helps prevent platelets in the blood from forming blood clots, potentially reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke in humans. Ajoene is also known to have effective broad-spectrum antimicrobial (antibacterial and antifungal) properties, helpful in preventing yeast infection (Candida albicans) and treating athlete's foot (tinea pedis), for example. Ajoene has also been shown effective in inhibiting tumor cell growth by targeting the microtubule cytoskeleton of such cells.

References

MacDonald JA, Langler RF Structure-activity relationships for selected sulfur-rich antithrombotic compounds Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2000 Jul 5;273(2):421-4. Eric Block (1985). "The chemistry of garlic and onions". Scientific American 252 (March): 114-119