Garlic and its active compounds: A novel strategy to fight diseases through modulating biological activities

Abstract

Throughout history, many plants and their products have been widely used as medicines for the prevention and treatment of different diseases in many cultures. Garlic (Allium sativum), is commonly used as a spice and traditionally used for its medicinal value since ancient times. Recent studies support the effects of garlic and its extracts in a wide range of applications. Due to the presence of sulfur containing compounds, high trace mineral content and enzymes, garlic has been reported to have implications in disease management and play a role as anti-diabetic, anti-microbial, anti-obesity, anti-oxidant and anti-tumor, dyslipidaemia effect, neuroprotective, cardio-preventive and photo-protection effects. It contains various active compound such as allicin, ajoene, diallyl disulfide and S-allyl-cysteine that modulates various biological cascades and prevent the pathogenesis. This review illustrates the role of garlic and their active ingredients in the health management based on in vivo and in vitro studies.