Greetings to all STEEMIANS !!!
In continuation of my topic, I shall be running through the second part to broaden our understanding about onion. Therefore,this second part shall includes;

• Uses of Onion and its pharmacology
• miscellaneous uses of onion
• Adverse reactions and toxicology of onion

USES OF ONION AND ITS PHARMACOLOGY

According to Dr. Mercola,2006. The main uses of Onion include;

• antimicrobial activity

• cardiovascular support

• hypoglycaemic action

• antioxidant/anticancer effects, and

• asthma protection

• antimicrobial activity

In VITRO, Onion has shown antibacterial, antiparasitic, and antifungal actions. Salmonella typhyimunum mutagenicity was reduced in hamburger when onions were added. Growth of oral pathogenic bacteria including streptococcus mutants. The main causes of dental caries and periodotitis, was prevented by onion extract. Antifungal actions of onions include inhibition of yeasts,microsporum canis,microsporum gypsum, trichophyton simii, tichophyton mentagrophytes, chrysosporium queens landicum, aspergillus flavus and penicillium rubrum. One source identifies the thiosulfinate principle in the Onion as a main antimicrobial agent.

• Cardiovascular support

Certain Onion genotypes containing higher contents of sulfur in the bulb correlated with greater antiplatelet activitity. Thiosulfinates dimethyl and diphenythiosulfinate, for example are known to retard thrombocyte biosynthesis.
The least polar fraction of onion extract was associated with the most inhibitory activity toward platelet aggregation, thus a greater inhibition of thromboxane synthesis was reported. Synthesis of thromboxanes and prostaglandins in vitro has been shown with Onion as well as with garlic and other liliaceae family members.
Onions protect against diet induced atherosclerosis and its marked action in controlling lipids and triglycerides. Cardiovascular diseases risk factors also involve blood coagulability. Several reports confirm the Onion's inhibitory effects on platelets formation. Raw,but not cooked, onion demonstrated anti thrombotic effects in rats.

• hypoglycaemic action

Onion's hemostatic effect in humans,but certain lipid reducing and blood pressure lowering effects in human have not yet been clinically proven. Onion decreases the hyperglycemic peak in rabbit.

• antioxidants/anticancer effects

Onion amino acid S-methylcysteinesulfoxide contributed to antidiabetic effects in affected rats, controlling blood glucose in addition to other diabetic effects comparable to insulin.
A new study has analyzed the odds of a person developing cancer based on the frequency of their ingestion of Onion. Comparing patients to controls, the researchers found that those with the highest intake of Onion had the mist protection from an assortment of cancers including;

• Esophageal cancer

• Colon cancer

• Breast cancer

• Ovarian cancer

• Prostate cancer
  Onion also boost body's natural abilities to protect you from hypertension and osteoporosis.

• asthma protection
  Folk medicine has used the onion for treatment of asthma,whooping cough, bronchitis and similar ailments. The onion is used in homeopathic medicine. Onion juice administration protected guinea pigs from asthma attacks. An ethanol extract of onion reduced allergy induced, bronchial constriction in certain patients. The thiosulfinates present in the onion are said to inhibit bronchi constriction.
  Onions have been used in the treatment of stingray wounds, warts, acne, appetite loss, urinary tract disorders, and indigestion.

ADVERSE REACTIONS AND TOXICOLOGY OF ONION

[http://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com]
Certain sulfur compounds(e.g. propanethial-S-oxide) escape from Onion in vapour form and hydrolyzed to sulfuric acid when cut, causing the familiar eye irritation and lacrimation.
Corneal swelling from Onion exposure has been reported ,using a sharp knife minimizes the crushing of onion tissue and liberation of volatile and cutting an onion under running water reduced lacrimation. Ingestion of Onion seems relatively safe as the complete German commission, E. Monograph lists no contraindications side effects or interaction from the planet. Onion can be taken frequently in low doses without any side effects.
Onion have been reported as occupational allergens. Onions toxicity is only associated with high intake.
A literature review discussing large amount of Onion build ingestion leaves toxicity questions unresolved. Low doses of onion (50mg/kg) given to rats had little effect on the lung and liver tissues. High doses (500mg/kg) resulted in histological changes in those organs.
Intraperitoneal administration was more damaging than oral administration, resulting in 25% mortality in rats. 85 young cattles were allowed to take 1000kg/day of Onion, negatively affecting approximately 26% with 1 fatality. New illness continued to occur for 5 days after the withdrawal of Onion, including lack of appetite, tachycardia, staggering and collapse, all probably because of adverse red blood cell effects. Food colorants extract from the onion bulb covering had no acute or subacute toxic effects in mice.
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