Blackmores Institute

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is an aromatic herbaceous plant consumed worldwide as food and is one of the oldest and most important herbs used since ancient times as traditional medicine for various diseases. Rich in several sulfur-containing phytoconstituents such as alliin, allicin, ajoenes, vinyldithiins, and flavonoids such as quercetin; extracts and isolated compounds of garlic have been evaluated for various biological activities including antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, antiprotozoal, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities among others. “Garlic is one of the most important bulb vegetables, with its pungent flavour it is widely used all over the world as a spice and flavouring agent. The organosulfur compounds like allicin and diallyl disulfide are the main compounds responsible for its pungency and spicy aroma. The antimicrobial activity of garlic is attributed to allicin activity,” the authors said.According to the review, garlic extracts have been reported to inhibit the growth of several pathogenic bacteria as well as prevent production of bacterial toxins. The antimicrobial activity has been attributed to allicin activity which can affect a wide variety of microorganisms including antibiotic-resistant, Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The beneficial attributes of garlic extract can also be seen in its broad-spectrum fungicidal effect against a wide range of fungi including Candida, Torulopsis, Trichophyton, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus, Trichosporon, and Rhodotorula species as well as in anti-protozoal activity.“The garlic extract acted by affecting the fungal cell wall and causing irreversible ultrastructural changes in the fungal cells, which led to loss of structural integrity and affected the germination ability. These changes in the cytoplasmic content lead to nucleus and cell organelle damage that ultimately leads to cell death,” the authors explained.The anti-infection capabilities of garlic also extend to viruses with the authors of the review explaining that garlic extract has demonstrated a protective effect against influenza.“The antiviral activity of garlic extracts has been evaluated against influenza B, human rhinovirus type 2, human cytomegalovirus, parainfluenza virus type 3, herpes simplex type 1 and 2, vaccinia virus, and vesicular stomatitis virus. Interestingly, in an in vivo experiment garlic showed protective activity against influenza viruses by improving the production of neutralizing antibodies when given to mice and this activity was based on the presence of several phytochemicals namely, ajoene, allicin, allyl methyl thiosulfinate, and methyl allyl thiosulfinate,” the authors said.Recent research reports that fresh garlic extract and antibiotics used as a combination therapy resulted in high antibacterial activity. However, garlic may also affect the pharmacokinetics of other medications including antiretroviral and anticoagulant drugs.Considered safe for humans the general recommended doses of the daily garlic uptake for the elderly are 4 g of raw garlic or 7.2 g of aged garlic extract or one dried garlic powder tablet twice to three per day.“This review focused on the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of A. sativum. reporting on several biological properties including anticarcinogenic, antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, and antihypertensive activities. Garlic is also well-known to have immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities. Proper consideration should be taken when using garlic as a medicine for the treatment of different diseases,” the authors concluded.Source:
 Nutrients. 2020. DOI: <a href="https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12030872">10.3390/nu12030872</a>

Used for centuries to benefit health, a new review of the pharmacological activities of garlic makes for a strong argument to include the humble bulb in your everyday.

Recommended for you

Echinacea in Clinical Practice

Understanding the research

Blueberries the well known super fruit could help fight Alzheimer's

Citicoline | Supporting the foundations of cognitive function