| Introduction: |
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| Allium sativum, commonly known as garlic, has been used in culinary and also as medicine in all different culture from our ancient times. It is native to Central Asia and is cultivated through out the world. It has been referred as ‘peasant’s heal all’ because it can be used as traditional medicine for many disorders and diseases. It is also known as ‘Stinking Rose’. It has been used for heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, reproductive and circulatory systems. Pharmacological studies show that it has immunomodulatory, anti-ageing, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, anti-cancer, antioxidant and many other activities. |
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| Major Chemical Constituents: |
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| Peptides, minerals, sulphur compounds, glycosides, monoterpenoids, vitamins, flavones and flavonols, amino acids are the major chemical constituents of Allium sativum. |
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| Pharmacological Actions |
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Immunomodulatory activity:1,2,3
One of the studies examined the effects of aged garlic extract (AGE) on immune functions. The results of the study strongly suggest that AGE could be a promising candidate as an immune modifier, which maintains the homeostasis of immune functions. In another study, mice were induced by N-nitrosodimethylamine, which is immunosuppressant. Then they were given diallyl sulfide, which is the component of garlic. The result of the study showed that Allium sativum exerted a protective effect on N-nitrosodimethylamine induced immunosuppression of humoral and cellular responses in mice. Immunomodulation effects of garlic have been reported to inhibit the decrease of spleen weight and spleen cell number caused by psychological stress. |
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Cardiac support: 4,5,6
The results of one study showed that Garlic extract protected endothelial cells from oxidized LDL-induced injury in endothelial cells. The Garlic and cardiovascular disease review analyzes in vitro and in vivo studies published since 1993 and concludes that although garlic appears to hold promise in reducing parameters associated with cardiovascular disease. One study was done to assess the size and consistency of garlic's effect on total serum cholesterol. Meta-analysis of the controlled trials of garlic to reduce hypercholesterolemia showed a significant reduction in total cholesterol levels. |
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| Herb Drug interactions: |
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| In theory, the risk of bleeding may be increased by concomitant use of garlic and anticoagulant or anti-platelet agents. |
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| Safety: |
| Garlic is considered to be very safe since its been used from ages all over the world. It might cause heartburn, diarrhoeal or nausea in some cases. |
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| Reference |
| 1 |
Kyo E, Uda N, Kasuga S, Itakura Y., Immunomodulatory effects of aged garlic extract. J Nutr. 2001 Mar; 131(3s): 1075S-9S. |
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| 2 |
H.Jeong, Y.Lee, Protective effects of diallyl sulfide on -nitrosodimethylamine-induced immunosuppression in mice. Cancer Letters 1998; 134 (1): 73-79 |
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| 3 |
Kyo, E., Uda, N., Ushijima, M., Kasuga, S., Itakura, Y., Prevention of psychological stress-induced immune suppression by aged garlic extract, Phytomedicine 1999, 6, 325 – 330. |
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| 4 |
Ide N, Lau BH, Garlic compounds minimize intracellular oxidative stress and inhibit the nuclear factor kappa B activation, Journal of Nutrition 2001; 131: 1020S |
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| 5 |
Rahman K, Lowe GM., Garlic and cardiovascular disease: a critical review. J Nutr. 2006 Mar; 136(3 Suppl):736S-740S. |
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| 6 |
Warshafsky S, Kamer RS, Sivak SL., Effect of garlic on total serum cholesterol. A meta-analysis. Ann Intern Med. 1993 Oct 1; 119 (7 Pt 1): 599-605. |
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