Review

Garlic: a review of potential therapeutic effects

Leyla Bayan1, Peir Hossain Koulivand1, Ali Gorji1, 2*
1
Shefa Neuroscience Research Centre, Tehran, I. R. Iran
2
Institut für Physiologie I, Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurochirurgie, Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Research
Center, Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster, Germany

Article history: Abstract

Received: Aug 11, 2013
Throughout history, many different cultures have recognized the
Received in revised form:
Aug 30, 2013 potential use of garlic for prevention and treatment of different
Accepted: Sep 5, 2013 diseases. Recent studies support the effects of garlic and its extracts in
Vol. 4, No. 1, Jan-Feb 2014, 1- a wide range of applications. These studies raised the possibility of
14 revival of garlic therapeutic values in different diseases. Different
compounds in garlic are thought to reduce the risk for cardiovascular
* Corresponding Author: diseases, have anti-tumor and anti-microbial effects, and show benefit
Tel: +492518355564 on high blood glucose concentration. However, the exact mechanism
Fax: +492518355551 of all ingredients and their long-term effects are not fully understood.
[email protected] Further studies are needed to elucidate the pathophysiological
mechanisms of action of garlic as well as its efficacy and safety in
Keywords:
treatment of various diseases.
Cancer
Cardiovascular diseases
Herbal medicine
Traditional medicine

Please cite this paper as:

Bayan L, Koulivand PH, Gorji A. Garlic: a review of potential therapeutic effects. Avicenna J Phytomed, 2014; 4
(1): 1-14.

Introduction Garlic (Allium sativum L.) has acquired a

Dietary factors play a key role in the reputation in different traditions as a
development of various human diseases. prophylactic as well as therapeutic medicinal
Across cultures, there are many different plant. Garlic has played important dietary
dietary patterns which are believed to and medicinal roles throughout the
promote human health. Despite cultural history.Some of the earliest references to this
differences, there are some shared medicinal plant were found in Avesta, a
characteristics of healthy dietary patterns. collection of Zoroastrian holy writings that
Perceiving plant foods as beneficial diet is was probably compiled during the sixth
advised by the folklore of many cultures over century BC (Dannesteter, 2003). Garlic has
centuries. also played as an important medicine to

AJP, Vol. 4, No. 1, Jan-Feb 2014 1

 Bayan et al.

Sumerian and the ancient Egyptians. There is different types or subspecies of garlic, most
some evidence that during the earliest notably hardneck garlic and softneck garlic.
Olympics in Greece, garlic was fed to the Allicin (allyl 2-propenethiosulfinate or
athletes for increasing stamina (Lawson and diallyl thiosulfinate) is the principal bioactive
Bauer, 1998). compound present in the aqueous extract of
Ancient Chinese and Indian medicine garlic or raw garlic homogenate. When garlic
recommended garlic to aid respiration and is chopped or crushed, allinase enzyme is
digestion and to treat leprosy and parasitic activated and produce allicin from alliin
infestation (Rivlrn, 1998).In the medieval (Lechiski and Reporter, 2008). Other
period, garlic was also played an important important compounds present in garlic
role in the treatment of different diseases. homogenate are 1 -propenyl allyl
Avicenna (1988), in his well-known book, Al thiosulfonate, allyl methyl thiosulfonate,
Qanoon Fil Tib (The Canon of Medicine), (E,Z)-4,5,9-trithiadodeca- l,6,11-triene 9-
recommended garlic as a useful compound in oxide (ajoene), and y-L-glutamyl-S-alkyl- L-
treatment of arthritis, toothache, chronic cysteine. The adenosine concentration
cough, constipation, parasitic infestation, increases several-fold as the homogenate is
snake and insect bites, gynecologic diseases, incubated at room temperature for several
as well as in infectious diseases (as hours (Banerjee and Maulik, 2002).
antibiotic). With the onset of Renaissance, Another widely studied garlic preparation
special attention was paid in Europe to the is aged garlic extract. Sliced draw garlic
health benefits of garlic. Garlic has attracted stored in 15-20% ethanol for more than 1.5
particular attention of modern medicine year is refereed to aged garlic extract. This
because of widespread belief about its effects whole process is supposed to cause
in maintaining good health. In some Western considerable loss of allicin and increased
countries, the sale of garlic preparations activity of certain newer compounds, such as
ranks with those of leading prescription S-allylcysteine, sallylmercaptocysteine,
drugs. There is appreciable epidemiologic allixin, N-0 -(Ideoxy- D-fructos- 1 -yl)-L-
evidence that demonstrates therapeutic and arginine, and selenium which are stable and
preventive roles for garlic. Several significantly antioxidant. Medicinally used,
experimental and clinical investigations garlic oil is mostly prepared by steam-
suggest many favorable effects of garlic and distillation process. Steam-distilled garlic oil
its preparations. These effects have been consists of the diallyl, allylmethyl, and
largely attributed to i) reduction of risk dimethyl mono to hexa sulfides (Lawson and
factors for cardiovascular diseases, ii) Bauer, 1998). Botanically, Allium sativum is
reduction of cancer risk, iii) antioxidant a member of the Lillaceae family, along with
effect, iv) antimicrobial effect, and v) onions, chives, and shallots (Iciek et al.,
enhancement of detoxification foreign 2009; Lanzotti, 2006; Banerjee and Maulik,
compound and hepatoprotection (Colín- 2002).
González, 2012; Aviello, 2009). In this
review, a survey on current experimental as
well as clinical state of knowledge about the
preventive and therapeutic effects of garlic in
different diseases is given.
Garlic is a bulbous plant; grows up to 1.2
m in height. Garlic is easy to grow and can
be grown in mild climates (Figure). There are Figure 1. Garlic bulbs

AJP, Vol. 4, No. 1, Jan-Feb 2014 2

 Garlic and medicine

Effects of garlic on cardiovascular diseases versus placebo in terms of reducing the risk
Garlic and its preparations have been of cardiovascular morbidity in patients
widely recognized as agents for prevention diagnosed with hypertension (Stabler et al.,
and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The 2012; Banerjee and Maulik, 2002).
wealth of scientific literature supports the It has been suggested that the mechanism
proposal that garlic consumption have of antihypertensive activity of garlic is due to
significant effects on lowering blood its prostaglandin-like effects, which decrease
pressure, prevention of atherosclerosis, peripheral vascular resistance (Rashid and
reduction of serum cholesterol and Khan, 1985). Aged garlic extract was
triglyceride, inhibition of platelet superior to placebo in lowering systolic
aggregation, and increasing fibrinolytic blood pressure in patients suffering from
activity (Chan et al., 2013; Banerjee and uncontrolled hypertension. A dosage of 240-
Maulik, 2002). Both experimental and 960 mg of aged garlic extract containing 0.6-
clinical studies on different garlic 2.4 of S-allylcysteine significantly lowered
preparations demonstrate these favorable blood pressure by about 12 mmHg over 12
cardiovascular effects (Maulik, 2013). weeks (Ried et al., 2013a).
In in vivo animal experiments, intravenous Garlic administration in rats suffering
administration of garlic extracts produced from hypercholesterolemia, induced by a
slight reductions in both systolic and high-cholesterol diet, significantly reduced
diastolic pressures (Sial and Ahmed, 1982) serum cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL, but
and oral ingestion of garlic extract in there was no effect on serum HDL (Kamanna
hypertensive animals brought the blood and Chandrasekhara, 1982; Maulik, 2013). In
pressure back to the normal level (Chandekar in vitro experiments, garlic administration
and Jain, 1973). Several clinical studies suppressed LDL oxidation and increased
showed that garlic reduced blood pressure in HDL, which may be one of the protective
more than 80% of patients suffering from mechanisms of the beneficial effects of garlic
high blood pressure (Auer et al., 1989; Konig in cardiovascular health (Rahman and Lowe,
and Scineider, 1986; Petkov, 1979; Omar, 2006). Long term application of garlic and its
2013; Stabler et al., 2012). In one trial, preparations on experimental atherosclerosis
investigation on 47 hypertensive patients induced by a high cholesterol diet, showed
showed that garlic significantly decreased the 50% reduction in atheromatous lesions,
mean systolic blood pressure by 12 mmHg particularly in the aorta (Jain, 1977; Maulik,
and the mean supine diastolic blood pressure 2013). Most of human studies on lipid
by 9 mmHg versus placebo. The authors lowering effects of garlic and garlic
stated that garlic was free from side effects preparations described significant decrease in
and no serious complication was reported serum cholesterol and triglyceride (Gardner
(Auer 1990). et al., 2001; Ziaei et al., 2001). A meta-
In another study, 200 mg of garlic powder analysis including 39 primary trials of the
was given three times daily, in addition to effect of 2 months administration of garlic
hydrochlorothiazide-triamterene baseline preparations on total cholesterol, low-density
therapy, produced a mean reduction of lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density
systolic blood pressure by 10-11 mmHg and lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides was
of diastolic blood pressure by 6-8 mmHg performed (Ried et al., 2013b). The results
versus placebo (Kandziora 1988). However, suggest garlic is effective in reduction of
these data are insufficient to determine if total serum cholesterol by 17±6 mg/dL and
garlic provides a therapeutic advantage low-density lipoprotein cholesterol by 9 ± 6

AJP, Vol. 4, No. 1, Jan-Feb 2014 3

 Bayan et al.

mg/dL in subjects with elevated total platelet aggregator) synthesis and protected
cholesterol levels (>200 mg/dL). An 8% against thrombocytopenia induced by
reduction in total serum cholesterol is of collagen or arachidonate application in
clinical relevance and is associated with a rabbits.
38% reduction in risk of coronary events at These observations indicate that garlic
50 years of age. High-density lipoprotein may be beneficial in the prevention of
cholesterol levels improved only slightly, and thrombosis. Garlic has also been shown to
triglycerides were not influenced inhibit platelet adhesion or aggregation in
significantly. Garlic was highly tolerable in human investigations. It has been shown that
all trials and was associated with minimal the aged garlic extract inhibited the binding
side effects. of ADP-activated platelets to immobilized
This meta-analysis study concluded that fibrinogen. This suggested that aged garlic
garlic should be considered as an alternative extract inhibited platelet aggregation via
option with a higher safety profile than inhibition of the GPIIb/IIIa receptor and an
conventional cholesterol-lowering increase in cAMP (Allison et al., 2012).
medications in patients with slightly elevated Furthermore, it was reported that garlic
cholesterol (Ried et al., 2013b). However, a decreases the risk of peripheral arterial
few studies using garlic powder, having low occlusive diseases, plasma viscosity, and
allicin yields, failed to show any lipid unstable angina and increases elastic property
lowering effects (Lutomski, 1984; Luley et of blood vessels and capillary perfusion
al., 1986). It has been suggested that different (Sumiyoshi and wargovich, 1990).
people might have different responses to Seventy-eight patients with peripheral
garlic, thus garlic may be more beneficial for arterial occlusive disease were randomized to
some specific groups (Zeng et al., 2013). receive garlic or a placebo medication. The
Preventive effect of garlic on dose of garlic was 400 mg oral standardized
atherosclerosis has been attributed to its garlic powder twice daily. Both men and
capacity to reduce lipid content in arterial women aged 40 to 75 years were enrolled in
membrane. Allicin, S-allyl cysteine, the study. After twelve weeks of treatment,
presented in aged garlic extract and diallyldi- pain-free walking distance increased
sulfide, presented in garlic oil are the active similarly whether receiving garlic or placebo.
compounds responsible for anti- Similarly there was no difference in the
atherosclerotic effect (Gebhardt and Beck, changes in blood pressure, heart rate, and
1996; Yu-Yah and Liu, 2001). The plasma pressure differences between the ankle and
fibrinolytic activity in animals, which was brachial pressures. No severe side effects
decreased on cholesterol feeding, was were observed although more people taking
considerably increased when this diet was garlic (28%) than placebo (12%) complained
supplemented with garlic (Mirhadi et al., of a noticeable garlic smell. This indicates
1993). that any improvements in symptoms of
Several human studies on plasma peripheral arterial occlusive disease with
fibrinolytic activity have found that garlic garlic may require longer-term treatment and
increased fibrinolytic activity in healthy follow up than in this study (Jepson et al.,
individuals as well as in acute myocardial 2000).
infarction patients (Bordia et al., 1998). It
was shown that pre-treatment with garlic Anti-tumor effect of garlic
significantly inhibited intracellular Ca2+ Many in vitro and in vivo studies have
mobilization, thromboxane-A2 (a potent suggested possible cancer-preventive effects

AJP, Vol. 4, No. 1, Jan-Feb 2014 4

 Garlic and medicine

of garlic preparations and their respective 1990), excretion (Tadi et al., 1991a), and the
constituents (Kyo et al., 2001). Garlic has protection of DNA from activated
been found to contain a large number of carcinogens (Tadi et al., 1991b).
potent bioactive compounds with anticancer Furthermore, DATS reduced tumor mass and
properties, largely allylsulfide derivatives. number of mitotic cells within tumors. DATS
Different garlic derivatives have been reduced mitosis in tumors, decreased histone
reported to modulate an increasing number of deacetylase activity, increased acetylation of
molecular mechanisms in carcinogenesis, H3 and H4, inhibited cell cycle progression,
such as DNA adduct formation, mutagenesis, and decreased pro-tumor markers (survivin,
scavenging of free radicals, cell proliferation Bcl-2, c-Myc, mTOR, EGFR, VEGF)
and differentiation as well as angiogenesis. (Wallace et al., 2013). Garlic components
The growth rate of cancer cells is reduced by have been found to block covalent binding of
garlic, with cell cycle blockade that occurs in carcinogens to DNA, enhance degradation of
the G2/M phase (Capasso, 2013). In 1990, carcinogens, have anti-oxidative and free
the U.S. National Cancer Institute initiated radical scavenging properties, and regulate
the Designer Food Program to determine cell proliferation, apoptosis, and immune
which foods played an important role in responses. Ajoene, a garlic stable oil soluble
cancer prevention (Dahanukar and Thatte, sulfur rich compound and garlic-derived
1997). They concluded that garlic may be the natural compound, have been shown to
most potent food having cancer preventive induce apoptosis in leukemic cells in addition
properties. Garlic has a variety of anti-tumor to the other blood cells of leukemic patients.
effects, including tumor cell growth Ajoene induced apoptosis in human leukemic
inhibition and chemopreventive effects. In cells via stimulation of peroxide production,
rodents, garlic and its constituents have been activation of caspase-3-like and caspase-8
reported to inhibit the development of activity. Garlic synergizes the effect of
chemically induced tumors in the liver eicosapentaenoic acid, a breast cancer
(Kweon et al., 2003), colon (Knowles and suppressor, and antagonizes the effect of
Milner, 2003), prostate (Hsing et al., 2002), linoleic acid, a breast cancer enhancer
bladder (Lau et al., 1986), mammary gland (Tsubura et al., 2011).
(Amagase and Milner, 1993), esophagus Anti-proliferative activity of ajoene was
(Wargovich et al., 1988), lung (Sparnins et demonstrated against a panel of human tumor
al., 1986), skin (Nishino et al., 1989), and cell lines (Li et al., 2002). Furthermore,
stomach (Wattenberg et al., 1989) in both allicin inhibits proliferation of human
rodent and human studies. Diallyl trisulfide mammary endometrial and colon cancer
(DATS), an organosulfur compound isolated cells. Growth inhibition is accompanied by
from garlic, has been shown anticancer an accumulation of the cells in WIG1 and
activity both in in vitro and in vivo G2lM phase of the cell cycle. Thus allicin is
investigations. The cytotoxicity of DATS also responsible for the anti-proliferative
toward prostate epithelial cells reduced as effect of garlic derivatives. Diallyl sulfide
opposed to PC-3 cancer cells (Borkowska, and diallyl disulfide, inhibit arylamine N-
2013). acetyltransferase activity and 2-
Possible anticarcinogenic mechanisms of aminofluorene-DNA in human
garlic and its constituents may include the promyelocytic leukemia cells (Lin et al.,
inhibition of carcinogen activation (Amagase 2002). Reduction of the risk of some
and Milne, 1993), the enhancement of malignancies by consumption of selenium-
detoxification (Sumiyoshi and Wargovich, enriched plants, such as garlic was suggested

AJP, Vol. 4, No. 1, Jan-Feb 2014 5

 Bayan et al.

(Finley, 2003). DATS inhibited cell growth diabetes mellitus is mainly attributed to the
of human melanoma A375 cells and basal presence of volatile sulfur compounds, such
cell carcinoma cells by enhancement of the as alliin, allicin, diallyl disulfide, diallyl
levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species trisulfide, diallyl sulfide, S-allyl cysteine,
and DNA damage and by inducing ajoene, and allyl mercaptan. Garlic extracts
endoplasmic reticulum stress and have been reported to be effective in
mitochondria-mediated apoptosis (Wang et reducing insulin resistance (Padiya and
al., 2012). Banerjee, 2013).

Diabetes mellitus Effect of garlic on chemically-induced

Although experimental studies hepatotoxicity
demonstrated a clear hypoglycemic effect of Several studies showed that garlic can
garlic, the effect of garlic on human blood protect the liver cells from some toxic agents.
glucose is still controversial. Many studies Acetaminophen is a leading analgesic and
showed that garlic can reduce blood glucose antipyretic drug used in many countries.
level in diabetic animals. Garlic was effective Overdose is known to cause hepatotoxicity
in reduction of blood glucose in and nephrotoxicity in humans and rodents.
streptozotocin- as well as alloxan-induced Although more than 90% of acetaminophen
diabetes mellitus in rats and mice (Sheela et is converted into sulfate and glucouronide
al., 1995; Ohaeri, 2001). Short term benefits conjugates and excreted in the urine, a small
of garlic on dyslipidemia in diabetic patients portion is metabolized by different liver
were shown (Ashraf et al., 2005). Garlic enzymes (Patten et al., 1993). This can
significantly reduced serum total cholesterol arylate critical cell proteins and cause
and LDL cholesterol and moderately raised toxicity. It is demonstrated that garlic
HDL cholesterol as compared with placebo protects against acetaminophen-induced
in diabetic patients (Ashraf et al., 2005). S- hepatotoxicity. Gentamycin also induces
allyl cysteine, a bioactive component derived hepatic damage as revealed by elevation of
from garlic, restored erectile function in liver damage marker enzymes (aspartate
diabetic rats by preventing reactive oxygen transaminase and alanine aminotransferase)
species formation through modulation of and reduction in plasma albumin
NADPH oxidase subunit expression (Yang et level. Dietary inclusion of garlic powder
al., 2013). protects rats against gentamycin-induced
Metformin and Garlic treatment in hepatotoxicity, improves antioxidant status,
diabetic patients for 12 weeks reduced and modulates oxidative stress (Ademiluyi et
fasting blood glucose (FBG), but the al., 2013). In addition, garlic attenuated
percentage of change in FBG was more hepatotoxicity effect of nitrate in rats. Garlic
substantial with metformin supplemented extract may reduce lipid peroxidation and
with garlic than with metformin alone enhance antioxidant defense system (El-Kott,
(Kumar et al., 2013). Chronic feeding of 2012).
garlic extracts showed significant decrease in
blood glucose level. However, some other Anti-microbial effect of garlic
studies showed no change of blood glucose Garlic has been used for centuries in
level after that in human. Therefore, the role various societies to combat infectious
of garlic in diabetic patients needs to be disease. Historically, it is believed that Louis
further investigated (Banejee and Maulik, Pasteur described the antibacterial property
2002). The beneficial effect of garlic on of garlic in 1858 for the first time, although

AJP, Vol. 4, No. 1, Jan-Feb 2014 6

 Garlic and medicine

no reference is available (Wang et al, 2010). and can be used for prevention of drug
More recently, garlic has been shown to be resistant microbial diseases. Pseudomonas
effective against a groups of gram-positive, aeruginosa was the most sensitive germ to
gram-negative, and acid-fast bacteria (Nervi, the mixture (Karuppiah and Rajaram, 2013).
2006). These include Salmonella, Garlic also suggested as a treatment for
Escherichia coli (Adler and Beuchat, 2002), multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (Dini et al.,
Pseudomonas, Proteus, Staphylococcus 2011).
aureus (Cavallito, 1944), Escherichia coli,
Salmonella (Johnson and Vaughn, 1969), Anti-protozoal properties
Klebsiella (Jezowa and Rafinski, 1966), Several studies have shown that the
Micrococcus, Bacillus subtulis (Sharma et extract was effective against a host of
al., 1977), Clostridium (De Witt et al., 1979), protozoa including Candida albicans (Lemar
Mycobacterium (Delaha and Garagusi, et al., 2002), Scedosporium prolificans
1985), and Helicobacter (O’Gara et al., (Davis et al., 2003), tinea pedis (Ledezma et
2000). It has been documented that garlic al., 2000), Opalina ranarum, Balantidium
exerts a differential inhibition between entozoon, Entamoeba histolytica,
beneficial intestinal microflora and Trypanosomes, Leishmania, Leptomonas,
potentially harmful enterobacteria (Ress et and Crithidia (Reuter et al., 1966; Nervi,
al., 1993; Nervi, 2006). 2006).
The antibacterial activity of garlic is Due to the occurrence of unpleasant side
widely attributed to allicin. It is known that effects and increasing resistance to the
allicin has sulfhydryl modifying activity synthetic pharmaceuticals, garlic was
(Wills, 1956) and is capable of inhibiting recommended for the treatment of giardiasis.
sulfhydryl enzymes. Cysteine and glutathione Inhibitory activity of garlic on giardia was
counteract the thiolation activity of allicin. noted with crude extract at 25 pg/mlL and the
Garlic extract and allicin have been shown to lethal dosage was established as
exert bacteriostatic effects on some approximately 50 pg/mL. Encouraged by
vancomycin-resistant enterococci. An these results, a clinical trial was carried out
inhibitory synergism was observed when on patients that had giardiasis (Soffar and
used in combination with vancomycin Mokhtar, 1991). Garlic was established as an
(Jonkers et al, 1999). It is thought that allicin antigiardial, removing the symptoms from all
modifies the sulfhydryl groups on the patients within 24 h and completely
enzymes of the TN1546 transposon, which removing any indication of giardiasis from
encodes vancomycin resistance, enhancing the stool within 72 h at a dosage of 1 mg/mL
susceptibility to vancomycin. twice daily aqueous extract or 0.6 mg/mL
The antibacterial effect of different commercially prepared garlic capsules. No in
concentrations of garlic extract against vitro calculations were possible, as the
human dental plaque microbiota has been workers could not culture the protozoa in
shown in in vitro study (Houshmand et al., vitro. It was suggested that allicin, ajoene,
2013). The synergism between ciprofloxacin and organosulfides from garlic are effective
with garlic extract has been shown, but not antinrotozoals compounds.
between ampicillin and the garlic extracts
(Zain al-abdeen et al., 2013). The cloves of Antifungal properties
garlic and rhizomes of ginger, extracted with Antifingal activity was first established in
95% ethanol, suggested to have anti-bacterial 1936 by Schmidt and Marquardt whilst
activity against multi-drug clinical pathogens working with epidermophyte cultures (Lemar

AJP, Vol. 4, No. 1, Jan-Feb 2014 7

 Bayan et al.

et al., 2002). Many fungi are sensitive to the patients with denture stomatitis (Bakhshi
garlic, including Candida (Yousuf, 2011), et al., 2012).
Torulopsis, Trichophyton, Cryptococcus
(Fromtling and Bulmer, 1978), Aspergillus Antiviral properties
(Hitokoto et al., 1980), Trichosporon, and In comparison with the antibacterial action
Rhodotorula (Tansey and Appleton, 1975). of garlic, very little work has been done to
Garlic extracts have been shown to decrease investigate its antiviral properties. The few
the oxygen uptake (Szymona, 1952), reduce studies have reported that garlic extract
the growth of the organism, inhibit the showed in vitro activity against influenza A
synthesis of lipids, proteins, and nucleic and B (Fenwick and Hanley, 1985),
acids (Adetumbi et al., 1986), and damage cytomegalovirus (Meng et al., 1993; Nai-Lan
membranes (Ghannoum, 1988). et al., 1993), rhinovirus, HIV, herpes simplex
A sample of pure allicin was shown to be virus 1 (Tsai et al., 1985), herpes simplex
antifungal. Removal of the allicin from the virus 2 (Weber et al., 1992), viral pneumonia,
reaction by solvent extraction decreased the and rotavirus. Allicin, diallyl trisulfide and
antifungal activity (Nervi, 2006; Hughes and ajoene have all been shown to be active
Lawson, 1991). Activity has also been (Hughes et al., 1989; Weber., 1992).
observed with the garlic constituents, diallyl In the case of HIV, it is thought that
trisulfide, against cryptococcal meningitis ajoene acts by inhibiting the integrin
(Cai, 1991), ajoene, and against Aspergillus dependent processes (Tatarintsev et al.,
(Yoshida et al., 1987). Thiol reduced the 1992). Allyl alcohol and diallyl disulfide
activity, suggesting the blocking of thiol have also proven effective against HIV-
oxidation by allicin. Inhibition of respiratory infected cells (Shoji et al., 1993). No activity
activity is thought to be due to inhibition of has been observed with allicin or S-allyl
succinate dehydrogenase. The adhesion of cysteine. It appears that only allicin and
Candida is also greatly reduced in the allicin-derived substances are active. Taken
presence of garlic extract (Ghannoum, 1990). together, the beneficial effects of garlic
Again, this effect is diminished by the extract make it useful in medicine. There are
addition of thiol compounds. The addition of insufficient clinical trials regarding the
ajoene to some fungal growth mixtures, effects of garlic in preventing or treating the
including Aspergillus niger, C. albicans, and common cold. A single trial suggested that
Paracoccidiodes, has resulted in inhibition at garlic may prevent occurrences of the
concentrations lower than that experienced common cold, but more studies are needed to
with allicin. Studies with aged garlic extract validate this finding. This trial randomly
(with no allicin or allicin-derived assigned 146 participants to either a daily
constituents) showed no in vitro antifungal garlic supplement (with 180 mg of allicin
activity. However, when given to infected content) or a placebo for 12 weeks.
mice, the number of organisms that were The investigation revealed 24 occurrences
seen was reduced by up to 80% (Tadi et al., of the common cold in the garlic group
1991a). compared with 65 in the placebo group,
It has been reported that garlic exhibited resulting in fewer days of illness in the garlic
antifungal effects on two species, the air- group compared with the placebo group.
borne pathogen Botrytis cinerea and However, claims of effectiveness of garlic on
Trichoderma harzianum (Lanzotti et al., common cold appear to rely largely on poor
2012). Greater satisfaction with the use of quality evidence (Lissiman et al., 2012).
garlic rather than nystatin was reported by Many countries have used garlic extract for

AJP, Vol. 4, No. 1, Jan-Feb 2014 8

 Garlic and medicine

clinical treatments, but the untoward actions evaluate the differences in mortality, serious
of garlic following long-term administration adverse events, and morbidity of cancer and
should be fully noted. Even though many cardiovascular diseases after garlic therapy.
studies on garlic and its derivatives have
been performed, the exact biological Conflict of interest
mechanism of garlic extract still remains to There is not any conflict of interest in this
be elucidated (Qi and Wang, 2003). study.

Conclusion
A recent increase in the popularity of
References
alternative medicine and natural products has Ademiluyi AO, Oboh G, Owoloye TR, Agbebi
renewed interest in garlic and their OJ. 2013. Modulatory effects of dietary
derivatives as potential natural remedies. inclusion of garlic (Allium sativum) on
This review may be useful to increase our gentamycin–induced hepatotoxicity and
knowledge of garlic therapeutic effects and oxidative stress in rats. Asian Pac J Trop
improve our future experimental and clinical Biomed, 3: 470-475.
research plans. Although it is shown that Adetumbi M, Javor GT, Lau BH. 1986. Allium
garlic may have a significant clinical sativum (garlic) inhibits lipid synthesis by
potential either in their own right or as Candida albicans. Antimicrob Agents
adjuvant therapy in different disorders, Chemother, 30: 499-501.
Adler BB, Beuchat LR. 2002. Death of
however, due to some issues, such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli 0157:H7, and
methodological inadequacies, small sample Listeria monocytogenes in garlic butter as
sizes, lack of information regarding dose affected by storage temperature. J Food Prot,
rationale, variation between efficacy and 65: 1976-1980.
effectiveness trials, the absence of a placebo Allison GL, Lowe GM, Rahman K. 2012. Aged
comparator, or lack of control groups more garlic extract inhibits platelet activation by
standard experiments and researches are increasing intracellular cAMP and reducing
needed to confirm the beneficial effect of the interaction of GPIIb/IIIa receptor with
garlic in various diseases. Future trials on the fibrinogen. Life Sci, 91: 1275-1280.
effect of garlic should include information on Amagase H, Milner JA. 1993. Impact of various
sources of garlic and their constituents on
the dosage of active ingredients of 7,12- dimethylbenz[a]anthracene binding to
standardized garlic preparations for better mammary cell DNA. Carcinogenesis, 14:
comparison of trials. It would also be 1627-1631.
interesting to explore the effect of different Ashraf R, Aamir K, Shaikh AR, Ahmed T. 2005.
forms of garlic extract on standard drug Effects of garlic on dyslipidemia in patients
therapy, especially when used as adjuvant with type 2 diabetes mellitus. J Ayub Med
therapy. Coll Abbottabad, 17: 60-64.
Although garlic is believed to be a safe Auer W, Eiber A, Hertkom E, Kohrle U, Lenz A,
substance, long-term trials of reasonable Mader F, Merx W, Otto G,
duration would provide insights into the Schmid-Oto B, Benheim H. 1989. Hypertonie
and Hyperlipidamie: In leichterenauch
possible side-effects of different garlic
Knoblauch. Der Allgemeinarzi, 3: 205-208.
extracts. The safety of garlic should be tested Auer W, Eiber A, Hertkorn E, Hoehfeld E,
especially in pregnant or breastfeeding Koehrle U, Lorenz A, Mader F, Merx W, Otto
women as well as in young children G, Schmid-Otto B, et al. 1990. Hypertension
(Budzynska et al., 2012; Dante et al., 2013). and hyperlipidaemia: garlic helps in mild
Long-term and large trials are also needed to cases. Br J Clin Pract Suppl, 69: 3-6.

AJP, Vol. 4, No. 1, Jan-Feb 2014 9

 Bayan et al.

Avicenna A. 1988. Al Qanoon Fil Tib. Translated extract- and S-allylcysteine-induced

by Sharafkandi, S. Soroosh Press, IV vol., protection. Oxid Med Cell Longev, 2012:
PP.122-178, Tehran, Iran. 907162.
Aviello G, Abenavoli L, Borrelli F, Capasso R, Dahanukar SA and Thatte UM. 1997. Current
Izzo AA, Lembo F, Romano B, Capasso F. status of ayurveda in phytomedicine.
2009. Garlic: empiricism or science? Nat Prod Phytomedicine, 4: 359-368.
Commun, 4: 1785-1796. Dannesteter J. 2003. AVESTA: VENDIDAD:
Bakhshi M, Taheri JB, Shabestari SB, Tanik A, Fargard 20: The origins of
Pahlevan R. 2012. Comparison of therapeutic medicine.Translated from Sacred Books of the
effect of aqueous extract of garlic and nystatin East, American Edition, New York, The
mouthwash in denture stomatitis. Christian Literature Company, 1898, [online],
Gerodontology, 29: e680-684. Available at www.avesta.org.
Banerjee SK, Maulik SK. 2002. Effect of garlic Dante G, Pedrielli G, Annessi E, Facchinetti F.
on cardiovascular disorders: a review. Nutr J, 2013. Herb remedies during pregnancy: a
1: 4. systematic review of controlled clinical trials.
Bordia A, Verma SK, Srivastava KC. 1989. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med, 26: 306-312.
Effect of garlic (Allium sativum) onblood Davis SR, Penie R, Apitz-Castro R. 2003.The in
lipids, blood sugar, fibrinogen and fibrinolytic vitro susceptibility of Scedosporium
activity in patients with coronary artery prolificans to ajoene, allitridium and a raw
disease. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty extract of garlic (Allium sativum). J
Acids, 58: 257-63.
Antimicrob Chemother, 5: 1593-1597.
Borkowska A, Knap N, Antosiewicz J. 2013.
De Witt JC, Notermans S, Gorin N,
Diallyl Trisulfide Is More Cytotoxic to
Kampelmacher EH. 1979. Effect of garlic oil
Prostate Cancer Cells PC-3 than to
or onion oil on toxin production by
Noncancerous Epithelial Cell Line PNT1A: A
Possible Role of p66Shc signaling Axis. Nutr Clostridium botulinum in meat slurry. J Food
Cancer, 65: 711-717. Protect, 42: 222-224.
Budzynska K, Gardner ZE, Dugoua JJ, Low Dog Delaha EC, Garagusi VF. 1985. Inhibition of
T, Gardiner P. 2012. Systematic review of mycobacteria by garlic extracts (Allium
breastfeeding and herbs. Breastfeed Med, 7: sativum). Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 27:
489-503. 485-486.
Cai Y. 1991. Anticryptococcal and antiviral Dini C, Fabbri A, Geraci A. 2011. The potential
properties of garlic. Cardiol Pract, 9: ll. role of garlic (Allium sativum) against the
Capasso A. 2013. Antioxidant action and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis pandemic: a
therapeutic efficacy of Allium sativum L. review. Ann Ist Super Sanita, 47: 465-473.
Molecules, 18: 690-700. El-Kott AF. 2012. Amelioration of Nitrate-
Cavallito CJ, Bailey JH. 1944. Allicin, the induced Hepatotoxicity. J Med Sci, 12: 85-91.
antibacterial principle of Allium sativum. I. Fenwick GR, Hanley AB. 1985. Allium species
Isolation, physical properties and antibacterial poisoning. Vet Rec, 116: 28.
action. J Am Chem Soc, 66:1950-1951. Finley JW. 2003. Reduction of cancer risk by
Chan JY, Yuen AC, Chan RY, Chan SW. 2013. consumption of selenium-enriched plants:
A review of the cardiovascular benefits and enrichment of broccoli with selenium
antioxidant properties of allicin. Phytother increases the anticarcinogenic properties of
Res. 27: 637-646. broccoli. J Med Food. 6: 19-26.
Chanderkar AG and Jain PK, 1973. Analysis of Fromtling RA, Bulmer GS. 1978. In vitro effect
hypotensive action of Allium sativum (garlic). of aqueous extract of garlic (Allium sativum)
Ind J Physiol Pharmacol, 17: 132-133. on the growth and viability of Cryptococcus
Colín-González AL, Santana RA, Silva-Islas CA, neoformans. Mycologia, 70: 397-405.
Chánez-Cárdenas ME, Santamaría A, Gardner CD, Chattejee LM, Carlson JJ. 2001.
Maldonado PD. 2012. The antioxidant The effect of a garlic preparation on plasma
mechanisms underlying the aged garlic lipid levels in moderately

AJP, Vol. 4, No. 1, Jan-Feb 2014 10

 Garlic and medicine

hypercholesterolemic adults. Atherosclerosis, Johnson MG. Vaughn RH. 1969. Death of

154: 213-220. Escherichia coli in the presence of freshly
Gebhardt R, Beck H. 1996. Differential reconstituted dehydrated garlic and onion.
inhibitory effects of garlic-derived Appl Microbiol, 17: 903-905.
organosulfur compounds on cholesterol Jonkers D, Sluimer J, Stobberingh E. 1999.
biosynthesis in primary rat hepatocyte culhue. Effect of garlic on vancomycin-resistant
Lipids, 31: 1269-1276. enterococci. Antimicrob Agents Chemother,
Ghannoum MA. 1988. Studies on the 43: 3045.
anticandidal mode of action of Allium sativum Kamanna VS, Chandrasekhara N. 1982. Effect of
(garlic). J Gen Microbiol, 134: 2917-2924. garlic on serum lipoproteins cholesterol levels
Ghannoum MA. 1990. Inhibition of Candida in albino rats rendered hypercholesteremic by
adhesion to buccal epithelial cells by an feeding cholesterol. Lipids, 17: 483-488.
aqueous extract of Allium sativum (garlic). J Kandziora J. 1988. Blutdruck- und
Appl Bacterial, 68: 163-169. lipidsenkendeWirkung eines Knoblauch-
Hitokoto H, Morozumi S, Wauke T, Sakai S, Preparates in Kombination mit einem
Kurata H. 1980. Inhibitory effects of spices on Diuretikum (Study 1) [in German]. Aerztliche
growth and toxin production of toxigenic Forschung, 35: 3-8.
fungi. Appl Environ Microbiol, 39: 818-822. Karuppiah P and Rajaram S. 2012. Antibacterial
Houshmand B, Mahjour F, Dianat O. 2013. effect of Allium sativum cloves and Zingiber
Antibacterial effect of different concentrations officinale rhizomes against multiple-drug
of garlic (Allium sativum) extract on dental resistant clinical pathogens. Asian Pac J Trop
plaque bacteria. Indian J Dent Res, 24: 71. Biomed, 2: 597-601.
Hsing AW, Chokkalingam AP, Gao YT, Knowles LM, Milner JA. 2003. Diallyl disulfide
Madigan MP, Deng J, Gridley G. Fraumeni JF induces ERK phosphorylation and alters gene
Jr. 2002. Allium vegetables and risk of expression profiles in human colon tumor
prostate cancer: a populat~onbased study. J cells. J Nutr, 133: 2901-2906.
Natl Cancer Inst, 94: 1648-1651. König FK, Schneider B. 1986. Knoblauch bessert
Hughes BG, Lawson LD. 1991. Antimicrobial Durchblutungsstörungen. Ärztliche Praxis, 38:
effect of Allium sativum L. (garlic) Allium 344-345.
ampeloprasum (elephant garlic), and Allium Kumar R, Chhatwal S, Arora S, Sharma S, Singh
cepa L. (onion). garlic compounds and J, Singh N, Bhandari V, Khurana A. 2013.
commercial garlic supplement products. Antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, anti-
Phytol Res, 5: 154-158. inflammatory and adenosine deaminase–
Hughes BG, Murray BK, North JA, Lawson LD. lowering effects of garlic in patients with type
1989. Antiviral constituents from Allium 2 diabetes mellitus with obesity. Diabetes
sativum Pl. Med, 55. 114. Metab Syndr Obes, 6: 49-56.
Iciek M, Kwiecień I, Włodek L. 2009. Biological Kweon S, Park KA, Choi H. 2003.
properties of garlic and garlic-derived Chemopreventive effect of garlic powder diet
organosulfur compounds. Environ Mol in diethylnitrosamineinduced rat
Mutagen, 50: 247-265. hepatocarcinogenesis. Life Sci, 73: 2515-
Jain RC. 1977. Effect of garlic on serum lipids, 2526.
coagulability and fibrinolyhc activity of Kyo E, Uda N, Kasuga S, Itakura Y.2001.
blood. Am J Clin Nutr, 30: 1380-1381. Immunomodulatory effects of aged garlic
Jepson RG, Kleijnen J, Leng GC. 2000. Garlic extract. J Nutr, 131:1075S-9S
for peripheral arterial occlusive Lanzotti V, Barile E, Antignani V, Bonanomi G,
disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2: Scala F. 2012. Antifungal saponins from bulbs
CD000095. of garlic, Allium sativum L. var. Voghiera.
Jezowa L, Rafinski T, Wrocinski T. 1966. Phytochemistry, 78: 126-134.
Investigations on the antibiotic activity of Lanzotti V. 2006. The analysis of onion and
Allium sativum L. Herba Pol, 12: 3-13 garlic. J Chromatogr A, 1112: 3-22.

AJP, Vol. 4, No. 1, Jan-Feb 2014 11

 Bayan et al.

Lau BH, Woolley JL, Marsh CL, Barker GR, Maulik N. Cardiovascular Diseases: Nutritional
Koobs DH, Torrey RR. 1986. Superiority of and Therapeutic Interventions. Boca Raton,
intralesional immunotherapy with FL: CRC Press LLC, 2013.
Corynebacterium parvum and Allium sativum Meng Y, Lu D, Guo N, Zhang L, Zhou G. 1993.
in control of murine transitional cell Anti-HCMV effect of garlic components.
carcinoma. J Urol, 136: 701-705. Virol Sin, 8: 147-150.
Lawson LD, Bauer R. 1998. Garlic: a review of Mirhadi SA, Singh S, Gupta PP. 1991. Effect of
its medicinal effects and indicated active garlic supplementation to cholesterol-rich diet
compounds. In: Phytomedicines of Europe. on development of atherosclerosis in rabbits.
Chemistry and Biological Activity. Series 69 Ind J Exp Biol, 29: 1621-1668.
1, American Chemical Society. Washington Nai-Lan G, Cao-Pei L, Woods GL, Reed E, Gui-
DC, 176-209. Zhen Z, Li-Bi Z, Waldman RH. 1993.
Lechiski K, Reporter W. Farmers Forum -- It Demonstration of antiviral activity of garlic
probably came from Gilroy. 2008. NJ.com, extract against human cytomegalovirus in
Retrieved 2013-02-19. vitro. Chin Med J, 106: 93-96.
Ledezma E, Marcano K, Jorquera A, De Sousa L, Nervi C. 2006. Garlic Biochemistry: Effect on
Padilla M, Pulgar M, Apitz-Castro R. 2000. human health. Università degli Studi di
Efficacy of ajoene in the treatment of tinea Torino, http://lem.ch.unito.it, Retrieved
pedis: a double-blind and comparative study 12.02.2013.
with terbinafine. J Am Acad Dermatol, 43: Nishino H, Iwashima A, Itakura Y, Matsuura H,
829-832. Fuwa T. 1989. Antitumorpromoting activity
Lemar KM, Turner MP, Lloyd D. 2002. Garlic of garlic extracts. Oncology, 46: 277-280.
(Allium sativum) as an anti-Candida agent: a O'Gara EA, Hill DJ, Maslin DJ. 2000. Activities
comparison of the efficacy of fresh garlic and of garlic oil, garlic powder, and their diallyl
freeze-dried extracts. J Appl Microbiol, 93: constituents against Helicobacter pylori. Appl
398-405. Environ Microbiol, 66: 2269-2273.
Li M, Ciu JR, Ye Y, Min JM, Zhang LH, Wang Ohaeri OC. 2001. Effect of garlic oil on the
K, Gares M, Cros J, Wright M, Leung-Tack J. levels of various enzyme in the serum and
2002. Antitumor activity of Z-ajoene, a tissue of streptozotocin diabtic rats. Biosci
natural compound purified from garlic: Rep, 21: 19-24.
antimitotic and microtubuleinteraction Omar SH. 2013. Garlic and Cardiovascular
properties. Carcinogenesis, 23: 573-579. Diseases. Natural Products: Springer, 3661-
Lin JG, Chen GW, Su CC, Hung CF. 2002. 3696.
Garlic components diallyl sulfide and diallyl Padiya R and Banerjee SK. 2013. Garlic as an
disulfide on arylamine Nacetyltransferase anti-diabetic agent: recent progress and patent
activity and 2-aminofluorene-DNA adducts in reviews. Recent Pat Food Nutr Agric, 5: 105-
human promyelocytic leukemia cells. Am J 127.
Chin Med, 30: 315-325. Patten CJ, Thomas PE, Guy RL, Lee M,
Lissiman E, Bhasale AL, Cohen M. 2012. Garlic Gonzalez FJ, Guengerich FP, Yang CS. 1993.
for the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Cytochrome P450 enzymes involved in
Rev, 3. acetaminophen activation by rat and human
Luley C, Lehmann-Leo W, Moller, B, Martin T, liver microsomes and their kinetics. Chem Res
Schwartzkopff W. 1986. Lack of efficacy of Toxicol, 6: 511-518.
dried garlic in patients with Petkov V. 1979. Plants and hypotensive,
hyperlipoproteinemia. Arzneimittelforschung antiatheromatous and coronarodilatating
1 Drug Res, 36: 766-768. action: Am J Chin Med, 7: 197-236.
Lutomski, J. 1984. Klinische Untersuchungen Qi R, Wang Z. 2003. Pharmacological effects of
Zur therapeutischen wirksamkeit von llya garlic extract. 24:62-3.
Rogiff knoblanchpillen mit Rutin. Z Rahman K, Lowe GM. 2006. Significance of
Phytotherapia, 5: 938-942. garlic and its constituents in cancer and

AJP, Vol. 4, No. 1, Jan-Feb 2014 12

 Garlic and medicine

cardiovascular disease. J Nutr, 136: 736S- glutathione S-transferase activity and BP-
740S. induced neoplasia in the mouse. Nutr Cancer,
Rashid A, Khan HH. 1985. The mechanism of 8: 211-215.
hypotensive effect of garlic extract. J Pak Med Stabler SN, Tejani AM, Huynh F, Fowkes C.
Assoc, 35: 357-362. 2012. Garlic for the prevention of
Rees LP, Minney SF, Plummer NT. 1993. cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in
Assessment of the anti-microbial activity of hypertensive patients. Cochrane Database Syst
garlic (Allium sativum). World J Microbiol Rev, 8.
Biotechnol, 9: 303-307. Sumiyoshi H, Wargovich MJ. 1990.
Reuter HD, Koch HP, Lawson LD. 1966. Chemoprevention of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-
Therapeutic effects and applications of garlic rnduced colon cancer in mice by naturally
and its preparations. Garlic: The science and occurring organosulfur compounds. Cancer
therapeutic application of Allium sativum L. Res, 50: 5084-5087.
and Related Species, Koch, HP and LD Szymona M. 1952. Effect of phytoncides of
Lawson (Eds.). Williams and Wilkins, Allium sativum on growth and respiration of
Baltimore, 135-213. certain pathogenic fungi. Acta Microbiol Pol,
Ried K, Frank OR, Stocks NP. 2013a. Aged 1: 5-23.
garlic extract reduces blood pressure in Tadi PP, Lau BH, Teel RW, Herrmann CE.
hypertensives: a dose-response trial. Eur J 1991a. Binding of aflatoxin B1 to DNA
Clin Nutr. 67: 64-70. inhibited by ajoene and diallyl sulfide.
Ried K, Toben C, Fakler P. 2013b. Effect of Anticancer Res, 11: 2037-2041.
garlic on serum lipids: an updated meta- Tadi PP, Teel RW, Lau BH. 1991b. Organosulfur
analysis. Nutr Rev, 71: 282-299. compounds of garlic modulate mutagenesis,
Rivlrn RS. 1998. Patient with hyperlipidemia metabolism, and DNA binding of aflatoxin
who received garlic supplements. Lipid B1. Nutr Cancer, 1537-1595.
management. Report from the Lipid Tansey MR and Appleton JA. 1975. Inhbition of
Education Council, 3: 6-7. fungal growth by garlic extract. Mycologia,
Sharma VD, Sethi MS, Kumar A, Rarotra JR. 67: 409-413.
1977. Antibacterial property of Allium Tatarintsev AV, Vrzhets PV, Ershov DE,
sativum Linn.: in vivo & in vitro studies. Shchegolev AA, Turgiev AS, Karamov EV,
Indian J Exp Biol, 15: 466-468. Kornilaeva GV, Makarova TV, Fedorov NA,
Sheela CG, Kumud K, Augusti KT. 1995. Anti- Varfolomeev SD. 1992. The ajoene blockade
diabetic effect of onion and garlic sulfoxide of integrin-dependent processes in an HIV-
amino acids in rats. Planta Medica, 61:356-7. infected cell system. Vestn Ross Akad Med
Shoji S, Furuishi K, Yanase R, Miyazaka T, Kino Nauk, ll-12: 6-10.
M. 1993. Ally1 compounds selectively killed Tsai Y, Cole LL, Davis LE, Lockwood SJ,
human immunodeficiency virus (type 1)- Simmons V, Wild GC. 1985. Antiviral
infected cells. Biochem Biophys Res properties of garlic: in vitro effects on
Commun, 194: 610-621. influenza B, herpes simplex and coxsackie
Sial AY and Ahmed SJ. 1982. Study of the viruses. Planta Med, 5: 460-461.
hypotensive action gerlic extract in Tsubura A, Lai YC, Kuwata M, Uehara N,
experimental animals. J Pak Med Assoc, 32: Yoshizawa K. 2011. Anticancer effects of
237-239. garlic and garlic-derived compounds for
Soffar SA and Mokhtar GM. 1991. Evaluation breast cancer control. Anticancer Agents Med
of the antiparasitic effect of aqueous garlic Chem, 11: 249-253.
(Allium sativum) extract in hymenolepiasis Wallace IV GC, Haar CP, Vandergrift WA 3rd,
nana and giardiasis. J Egypt Soc Parasitol, 21: Giglio P, Dixon-Mah YN, Varma AK, Ray
497-502. SK, Patel SJ, Banik NL, Das A. 2013. Multi-
Sparnins VL, Mott AW, Barany G, Wattenberg targeted DATS prevents tumor progression
LW. 1986. Effects of allyl methyl trisulfide on and promotes apoptosis in ectopic

AJP, Vol. 4, No. 1, Jan-Feb 2014 13

 Bayan et al.

glioblastoma xenografts in SCID mice via through inhibition of reactive oxygen species
HDAC inhibition. J Neurooncol, 114: 43-50. generation in diabetic rats. Andrology, 487-
Wang D, Feng Y, Yan J, Wang M, Sasaki J, Lu 494.
C. 2010. Black garlic (Allium sativum) Yoshida S, Kasuga S, Hayashi N, Ushiroguchi T,
extracts enhance the immune system. Med Matsuura H, Nakagawa S. 1987. Antifungal
Arom Plant Sci Biotech, 4:37-40 activity of ajoene derived from garlic. Appl
Wang HC, Pao J, Lin SY, Sheen LY. 2012. Environ Microbiol, 53: 615-617.
Molecular mechanisms of garlic-derived allyl Yousuf S, Ahmad A, Khan A, Manzoor N, Khan
sulfides in the inhibition of skin cancer LA. 2011. Effect of garlic-derived
progression. Ann N Y Acad Sci, 1271: 44-52. allyl sulphides on morphogenesis and
Wargovich MJ, Woods C, Eng VW, Stephens hydrolytic enzyme secretion in Candida
LC, Gray K. 1988. Chemoprevention of N- albicans. Med Mycol, 49: 444-448.
nitrosomethylbenzylamine-induced Yu-Yan Y and Liu L. 2001. Cholesterol lowering
esophageal cancer in rats by the naturally effect of garlic extracts and organosulfur
occurring thioether, diallyl sulfide. Cancer compounds: Human and animal studies. J
Res, 48: 6872-6875. Nutr, 131: 989- 993.
Wattenberg LW, Sparnins VL, Barany G. 1989. Zain al-abdeen SS, Abdullah IT, Al-Salihi SS.
Inhibition of N-nitrosodiethylamine 2013. The synergism effect of aqueous garlic
carcinogenesis in mice by naturally occurring extract and ciprofloxacin against some multi-
organosulfur compounds and monoterpenes. resistant bacteria. J Microbiol Biotech Res, 3:
Cancer Res, 49: 2689-2692. 136-142.
Weber ND, Andersen DO, North JA. Murray BK, Zeng T, Zhang CL, Zhao XL, Xie KQ. 2013. The
Lawson LD, Hughes BG. 1992. In vitro roles of garlic on the lipid parameters: a
virucidal effects of Allium sativum (garlic) systematic review of the literature. Crit Rev
extract and compounds. Planta Med, 58: 417- Food Sci Nutr, 53: 215-230.
423. Ziaei S, Hantoshzadeh S, Rezasoltani P,
Wills E. 1956. Enzyme inhibition by allicin, the Lamyian M. 2001. The effect of garlic tablet
active principle of garlic. Biochem J, 63: 514- on plasma lipids and platelet aggregation in
520. nulliparous pregnants at high risk of
Yang J, Wang T, Yang J, Rao K, Zhan Y, Chen preeclampsia. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod
RB, Liu Z, Li MC, Zhuan L, ZangGH, Guo Biol, 99: 201-206.
SM, Xu H, Wang SG, Liu JH, Ye ZQ. 2013.
S‐allyl cysteine restores erectile function

AJP, Vol. 4, No. 1, Jan-Feb 2014 14