Garlic (Allium sativum L.): A review of potential therapeutic applications

Garlic (Allium sativum L. fam. Alliaceae), one of the best-researched herbal remedies, is frequently used as a food and a spice. Garlic contains enzymes (e.g., allinase), sulphur-containing compounds, including alliin, and compounds produced enzymatically from alliin (for example, allicin). Conventi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inInternational journal of green pharmacy Vol. 6; no. 2; p. 118
Main Author Bhandari, PrasanR
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Mandsaur Medknow Publications and Media Pvt. Ltd 01.04.2012
Mandsaur Institute of Pharmacy, Mandsaur University Campus
Subjects
Cancer
Chemical properties
Cholesterol
Composition
Garlic
Health aspects
Hippocrates (460?-377? BC)
Medical research
Medicinal plants
India
Greece
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Summary:Garlic (Allium sativum L. fam. Alliaceae), one of the best-researched herbal remedies, is frequently used as a food and a spice. Garlic contains enzymes (e.g., allinase), sulphur-containing compounds, including alliin, and compounds produced enzymatically from alliin (for example, allicin). Conventionally, it has been used to treat infections, wounds, diarrhoea, rheumatism, heart disease, diabetes and many other disorders. Experimental studies have demonstrated that garlic exhibits antibacterial, antihypertensive, cardioprotective, antilipidaemic, anticarcinogenic, immunostimulant and hypoglycaemic properties. Clinically, garlic has been investigated for a variety of indications, namely, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes and for the prevention of arteriosclerosis and cancer. Systematic reviews are available for the possible antilipidaemic, antihypertensive, antithrombotic and chemopreventive effects. Garlic appears to be generally safe although allergic reactions may occur.
ISSN:0973-8258
1998-4103
DOI:10.4103/0973-8258.102826