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Allium cepa L.

Summary
Onion is a root vegetable belonging to the family Amaryllidaceae. Onions are rich source of anthocyanins (cyanidine glucoside), flavonoids (quercetin)and phenolic acids (chlorogenic acid). These bioactives enhances the expression of endogenous anti-oxidants such as glutathione and super-oxide dismutase and inhibit cell proliferation by reducing the secretion of pro-inflammatory signalling molecules like cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1-β) and promote autophagy in tumour cells.

Mode of Consumption : Fresh, salad, sauteed, roasted, fried, boiled, marinated or grilled.
Plant Details Agro-climatic Zone Vernacular Names Pictures
Scientific Name: Allium cepa L.
Family: Amaryllidaceae J.St.-Hil.
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Asparagales
Genus: Allium L.
Fruiting Season: All round the year
Parts: Bulb & Leaf
  • The Eastern Coastal Region
  • The Middle Ganga Plain Region
  • North-Western Mountain Region
  • The Deccan Interior Region & The Western Coastal Region
  • The Western Coastal Region
  • The South-Eastern Plateau Region & The Eastern Coastal Region
  • The Deccan Interior Region & The Eastern Coastal Region
  • The Upper Ganga Plain Region & The Middle Ganga Plain Region
  • The Upper Ganga Plain Region
  • The Lower Ganga Plain Region
 Andhra Pradesh : Ullipaya
Bihar : Pyaz
Himachal Pradesh : Pyaz
Karnataka : Erulli
Kerala : Ullii
Punjab : Pyaz
Tamil Nadu : Vengayam
Uttar Pradesh : Pyaz
Uttarakhand : Pyaz
West Bengal : Peyash

Bulb


Leaves
Compound/Extract Activity Mode of Action Marker/References
Polyphenols extract from bulbsAnti-tumour and Anti-infectionPolyphenols extracted from Onion bulbs helps in up-regulation of DR5 modulation, inhibits phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathway, reduces mitochondrial membrane potential and initiates Caspase-dependent apoptosis.Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling and caspase enzymes[8]
Ethanolic onion extractAnti-inflammation, AntimicrobialEthanol extract of Onion/FOS reduces secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1-β) and enhancement of Phagocytic activity in peritoneal exudates cells in rats.IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1-β[8]
Major Class Metabolites (Content of bioactives: mg/100g Fresh Weight)
AnthocyaninCyanidin 3-(6''-malonylglucoside): 2.8-16.1 mg/100g[1]
Carboxylic AcidChlorogenic acid: 68 mg/100g[2]
FlavonoidQuercetin: White onions (18.5–63.4 mg/100g), Yellow Onions (5.4–28.6 mg/100g), Red onions (2.2-89 mg/100g)[5]
Phenolic acidProtocatechuic acid: 1.68 mg/100g[2]
Effect Observation DOI
In vitro studies Increased production of SCFAs such as propionic acid and butyric acidDOI: 10.1016/j.bcdf.2013.02.002
Disease Formulation Reference Author TKDL
Tubercular cough / Cough due to weakness or emaciation(Elaippu erumal),Tuberculosis / Pthysis(Elaippu,Sayam,Raja yashmam,Visushi),Cough / Bronchitis(Irumal,Kaasam)Naga ParpamBogar700Edited by V.Ayodiyathasar, Published by B.Rathina Nayakar Sons, Thirumagal Vilasa Press, ChennaiSiddha
Diseases during pregnancy(Karppa kaala Noikal),Dysmenorrhoea (Soothagavali),Worm infestation (Vayitru puzhunoi), Pain(Vali), Convulsions(Valippu),Pain(Vali),Infertility(Maladu)Vizhuthi EnnaiAgathiar vaithia rathna churukkam300Agasthiyar, Edited by:S.P. Ramachandran, Published by Thamarai Noolagam, Chennai ( Edn. 1st, Dec 1998)Siddha
Diseases of head and neck(Amraaz-e-raas wa unuq),Headache (Suda'),Headache (Migraine)(Suda'-e-Nisfi/Shaqeeqa),Giddiness(Duwaar),Hallucinations(Wasawis),Psychosis/Insanity/Mania(Mania/Junoon),Epilepsy(Sara/Mirgi),Congenital deafness(Samam/Samma),Paralysis/Hemiplegia(Faalij),Atony(Istirkha),Apoplexy(Sakta),Otalgia(Waja-ul-Uzn),Pain(Waja),Hepatic obstruction(Sudad -ul- Kabid),Bronchial asthma(Zeeq-al-Nafas Shu'bi/Zeeq-al-Nafas/ Rabw),Quartan Fever(Humma-e-Riba'),Paroxysmal fever/intermittent fever(Humma-e-Naaeba/Humma-e-Daaerah),Arthralgia(Waja'-al-Mafaasil),Sciatica (Irqun Nasaa),Gout (Niqris),Alopecia Furfuracea(Daa-al-Hayyah),Alopecia (Daa-al-Sa'lab),Leucoderma/Vitiligo(Baras),Ptyriasis Alba(Bahaq-e-Abyaz),Ring worm (Qoobaa),Ichthyosis(Taqashshur-e-Jild),Scrofula / Cervical lymphadenitis (Khanaazeer/Kanth Maala),Cancer(Sarataan)Iyarij-e- LooghaaziaAl-Qaanoon-fil Tibb, Vol. VAbu Ali Ibn-e-Sina, Publication Department, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi-62, 1996Unani
Hepatalgia(Waja-ul-Kabid), Spleenalgia(Waja'-ul-Tehaal), Ascites(Istisqaa -e- Ziqqi), Bronchial asthma(Zeeq-al-Nafas Shu'bi/Zeeq-al-Nafas/ Rabw)Sikanjbeen -e- UnsuliKaamil-al-Senaa'h, Part IAli Ibn-e-Abbaas Majoosi, Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine, 61-65 Institutional Area, Janak Puri, New Delhi-58, 2005Unani
Alopecia (Daa-al-Sa'lab), Alopecia Furfuracea(Daa-al-Hayyah)Tila-e-seerKitaab- Al - U'mdah - fil - Jeraahat, Part IIAminuddaulah Abul Farj Ibn Al-Quff Maseehi, Dayerah-al- Ma'aarif Usmania, Hyderabad, 1937Unani
Information from Wealth of India Reference
  • The onion is popular as a vegetable and is also used for flavouring and pickling.
  • Onion contains vitamin C 11mg./100g.
  • It is said to possess stimulant, diuretic and expectorant properties and is considered useful in flatulence and dysentery.
  • Freshly expressed onion juice has moderate bactericidal properties.
 CSIR(1948).The Wealth of India, Raw materials,Vol.-I ,P.56-58, New Delhi, India
4.2, 04.2.1, 04.2.1.1, 04.2.1.3, 04.2.2.3, 04.2.2.5, 04.2.2.6, 04.2.2.8
    CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology, Jorhat-6, Assam, India
    CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology, Palampur-61,Himachal Pradesh, India