Onions (Allium Cepa Linn.) have been used in medicine for a long time and are a common food. A study investigated if onion extract could improve fertility in rats across two generations. In this study, the researchers first tested the onion extract's antioxidant properties and safety. Then, they fed male and female rats different amounts of the extract or plain water. They looked at how well the rats reproduced, including the number of babies born, sperm health, hormone levels, and overall health. The results showed that the onion extract did not affect the rats' weight or survival but significantly improved sperm quality and quantity in both male generations. Additionally, the extract improved hormone levels related to reproduction in both males and females. Overall, the study suggests that onion extract may help improve fertility in rats by reducing oxidative stress and improving hormone activity. (1)
In a separate study, onion (Allium cepa) peels have been shown to have antidepressant effects in mice. Researchers were looking for the specific component in the peels that caused this effect. They found that a compound called quercetin 4'-O-glucoside was responsible. When mice were given quercetin 4'-O-glucoside, it acted similarly to a common antidepressant medication (fluoxetine) in tests designed to measure depression-like behaviors. The researchers believe that quercetin 4'-O-glucoside may work by reducing stress on brain cells and improving levels of serotonin, a brain chemical involved in mood. (2)
REFERENCE
(1) Sadia Suri et al, The beneficial effect of Allium Cepa bulb extract on reproduction of rats; A two-generation study on fecundity and sex hormones , PLoS One . 2024 Mar 14;19(3):e0294999.