<b>Pharmacological Effects of <i>Allium Sativum</i> L. (Garlic)</b>

Abstract

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is a bulbous herb used as a food item, spice and medicine in different parts of the world. Its medicinal use is based on traditional experience passed from generation to generation. Researchers from various disciplines are now directing their efforts towards discovering the effects of garlic on human health. Interest in garlic among researchers, particularly those in medical profession, has stemmed from the search for a drug that has a broad-spectrum therapeutic effect with minimal toxicity. Recent studies indicate that garlic extract has antimicrobial activity against many genera of bacteria, fungi and viruses. The role of garlic in preventing cardiovascular disease has been acclaimed by several authors. Chemical constituents of garlic have been investigated for treatment of hyperlipidemia, hypertension, platelet aggregation and blood fibrinolytic activity. Experimental data indicate that garlic may have anticarcinogenic effect. Recent researches in the area of pest control show that garlic has strong insecticidal, nematicidal, rodenticidal and molluscicidal activity. Despite field trials and laboratory experiments on the pesticidal activity of garlic have been conducted, more studies on the way of delivery in environment and mode of action are still recommended for effective control of pest. Adverse effects of oral ingestion and topical exposure of garlic include body odor, allergic reactions, acceleration in the effects of anticoagulants and reduction in the efficacy of anti-AIDS drug Saquinavir.

Efectos del Allium sativum, ajo, en pacientes con dislipidemia en la ciudad de Huancayo. estudio preliminar

“…Las anormalidades lipídicas incluyen altos niveles de LDL (colesterol de lipoproteínas de baja densidad), triglicéridos elevados y HDL bajo (lipoproteínas de colesterol de alta densidad). El colesterol presente en la β-lipoproteína (LDL) y pre-B-lipoproteína se deposita en los vasos sanguíneos, mientras que α-lipoproteína (HDL) ayuda a reducir el colesterol sérico (2,3) .…”

The Effect of Aqueous Extract of Allium Sativum (Garlic) on Erythrocyte Osmotic Fragility in Normal and Sickle Cell

“…Phytochemical screening of Allium sativum revealed it is a rich source of important organics compound, which include steroids, saponins and flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempherol. They also are characterized by a high content of organosulphur compounds including allicin, ajoene, cephaene, zwiebalanes and zpropanthiol-s-oxide which are responsible for the lachrymatory pungency, typical smell and taste (Singh and Singh, 2008). More so, chronic and unregulated intake of Allium sativum was reported to cause impairment of normal red cell membrane stability in addition to an increased susceptibility to oxidative stress and formation of Heinzbody anemia.…”

“…More so, chronic and unregulated intake of Allium sativum was reported to cause impairment of normal red cell membrane stability in addition to an increased susceptibility to oxidative stress and formation of Heinzbody anemia. Acute toxicity studies in rodents also reveal LD 50 of Allium sativum to be 3g/Kg body weight (Singh and Singh, 2008) Sickle cell anemia is an inherited blood disease, in which, when red cells are deoxygenated, produce a fibrous polymer which stiffen erythrocyte membrane and alters ionic transport. In addition it has generally been observed that human erythrocytes are perhaps the cells most exposed to peroxidative damage by free radicals due to the high cellular concentration of oxygen and hemoglobin; a potentially powerful promoter of oxidative processes (Rother et al, 2005; Jaiswal and Rizvi, 2011) However other studies shown that the red blood cell protects itself against oxidative damage by antioxidants located in both cytosolic and membrane domains which counter the effect of antioxidant and also free radicals (Rai et al, 2009).…”

“…Therapeutic and medicinal values are also attached to allium, most of which are scientifically validated (Amagase et al, 2001; Hussein et al, 2007). Allium sativum has proven to have antiglycaemic, antidiabetic (Eidi et al, 2006), antioxidant (Dubravka and Ilona, 2003;Jaiswal and Rizvi,2011), antithrombotic (Steiner and Li, 2001; Jaiswal and Rizvi, 2011), anticarcinogenic, hepatoprotective (Hussein et al, 2007) antihypertensive, and cardioprotective activities (Singh and Singh, 2008). Phytochemical screening of Allium sativum revealed it is a rich source of important organics compound, which include steroids, saponins and flavonoids such as quercetin and kaempherol.…”

Hypoglycaemic and Hypolipidemic Effects of Polyherbal Formulation in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats.

“…The active constituents are sulfur-containing compounds that are rapidly absorbed and metabolized. Numerous studies on garlic have suggested that garlic lowers total cholesterol concentrations favorably altering HDL/LDL ratios (Singh andSingh, 2008, Bordia (1981). Garlic contains at least 33 sulfur compounds, several enzymes and the minerals vitamins, fiber amino acids and water (Josling, 2005;Fenwick and Hanley, 1985).…”