Garlic in health and disease

Area of Science:

• Nutritional Science
• Pharmacology
• Oncology
• Cardiology

Background:

• Garlic has a long history of traditional use.
• Its potential health benefits are attributed to various bioactive compounds.
• Research is exploring its pharmacological activities and therapeutic potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the historical and popular uses of garlic.
• To summarize its diverse pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antineoplastic effects.
• To discuss its potential impact on cardiovascular health and cancer prevention.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of historical uses and scientific studies on garlic.
• Analysis of research on garlic's chemical constituents and their biological activities.
• Examination of studies investigating garlic's effects on cardiovascular risk factors, cancer, and liver injury.

Main Results:

• Garlic exhibits antioxidant, haematological, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, and antineoplastic properties.
• It may influence cardiovascular risk factors and inhibit cancer progression.
• Garlic demonstrates antiplatelet, anticoagulant, and synergistic effects against Helicobacter pylori.
• Its compound allicin may combat atherosclerosis through antioxidant and other mechanisms.
• Garlic protects against drug-induced liver injury in animal models.

Conclusions:

• Garlic possesses a wide range of beneficial health properties.
• Its constituents show promise in cardiovascular disease prevention and cancer inhibition.
• Further research is needed to establish biomarkers for personalized garlic therapy.
• Garlic's hepatoprotective and antimicrobial effects warrant continued investigation.