Authors : S M Shende and D P Gogle
Page Nos : 71-76
Description :
Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is one of the best medicinal herb. It is frequently used since time as a food and a culinary spice. Garlic also stands as the second most utilized supplement. The chemical constituent of garlic bulb contains a higher concentration of sulfur compounds called organosulfur compound (OSC). Garlic and Its products are used as sources of medicine in many ways in human beings in their day today life. The OSCs like allicin, diallyl, mono,di, tri, tetra, hexa and hepta sulfides, vinyldithiins and ajoenes which are water and lipid soluble responsible for its medicinal effects. Higher consumption of Allium products is associated with reduced risk of several types of cancers as per epidemiological studies. This paper is reviewed on the biological responses of OSCs have been largely attributed to reduction of cardiovascular disease, cancer, lowering of cholesterol by altering HDL/LDL ratios, antiparasitic, antiprotozoal, antimicrobial and antioxidant effects, inhibits platelet aggregation and enhances fibrinolytic activity reducing clots on damaged endothelium. Ajoene is another compound seems to be responsible for its anti-clotting effect.
Keywords: Allium sativum, allicin, anticancer, antimicrobial, anticardiovascular, antiparasitic and antiprotozoal activity.
