Author(s):

Radha Singh and Kusum Singh

Abstract: A member of the Liliaceae family, garlic (Allium sativum) is highly regarded throughout the world for both its medicinal and culinary value. Garlic (leaves, flowers, and cloves) is probably one of the earliest known medicinal plants, which used from ancient time to cure different disease in human. The key significance of present research is the medicinal value of garlic is its broad-spectrum therapeutic effect with minimal toxicity. Most active constituents of this plant are organosulfur compounds such as allicin, diallyl disulphide, S-allylcysteine, and diallyl trisulfide that are quickly absorbed and metabolized. Allicin is one of the most studied among these naturally arising compounds. Garlic and its compounds have been used to treat several diseases viz: antidiabetic, antioxidant, antiinflammatory, hepatoprotective, antihelmentics, antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and wound healing. Diseases that may also be suppressed by garlic’s medicinal actions include Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease (Including atherosclerosis, hypertension, thrombosis and hyperlipidaemias) dermatologic applications, stress, and infections. The purpose of this article reviews the pharmacological effects and traditional uses of garlic and its active constituents. It can be further used as probable natural sources for the advancement of new drugs.

Pages: 1349-1355  |  3493 Views  1826 Downloads

Download (571KB)