Ma, J. L., L. Zhang, L. M. Brown, J. Y. Li , L. Shen, K. F. Pan, W. D. Liu, Y. Hu, Z. X. Han, S. Crystal-Mansour, D. Pee, W. J. Blot, J. F. Fraumeni Jr., W. C. You and M. H. Gail. 2012. J Natl Cancer Inst. [Epub ahead of print].

Abstract: In the Shandong Intervention Trial, 2 weeks of antibiotic treatment for Helicobacter pylori reduced the prevalence of precancerous gastric lesions, whereas 7.3 years of oral supplementation with garlic extract and oil (garlic treatment) or vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium (vitamin treatment) did not. Here we report 14.7-year follow-up for gastric cancer incidence and cause-specific mortality among 3365 randomly assigned subjects in this masked factorial placebo-controlled trial. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of gastric cancer incidence, and the Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the relative hazard of cause-specific mortality. All statistical tests were two-sided. Gastric cancer was diagnosed in 3.0% of subjects who received H pylori treatment and in 4.6% of those who received placebo (odds ratio = 0.61, 95% confidence interval = 0.38 to 0.96, P = .032). Gastric cancer deaths occurred among 1.5% of subjects assigned H pylori treatment and among 2.1% of those assigned placebo (hazard ratio [HR] of death = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.36 to 1.28). Garlic and vitamin treatments were associated with non-statistically significant reductions in gastric cancer incidence and mortality. Vitamin treatment was associated with statistically significantly fewer deaths from gastric or esophageal cancer, a secondary endpoint (HR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.30 to 0.87; P = .014).

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Nantz, M. P., C. A. Rowe, C. E. Muller, A. R. Creasy, J. M. Stanilka and S. S. Percival. 2012. Supplementation with aged garlic extract improves both NK and γδ-T cell function and reduces the severity of cold and flu symptoms: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled nutrition intervention. Clin Nutr. [Epub ahead of print].

Abstract:

Background & Aims: Earlier studies show that dietary bioactive compounds can modify proliferation of γδ-T cells. Garlic contains numerous compounds that have this potential and, in addition, has been shown to influence NK cell function. Our primary aim was to demonstrate that aged garlic extract could modify these immune cells.

METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel intervention study recruited 120 healthy subjects (60 per group) to determine the effect of aged garlic extract supplementation (2.56 g/d) on immune cell proliferation and cold and flu symptoms.

RESULTS: After 45 d of consuming an encapsulated aged garlic extract,γδ-T cells (p = 0.039, n = 56) and NK cells (p = 0.043, n = 56) were shown to proliferate better compared to placebo. After 90 d of supplementation, illness diary entries showed that the incidence of colds and flu, a secondary outcome, were not statistically different; however, the group consuming the aged garlic extract appeared to have reduced severity as noted by a reduction in the number of symptoms reported (21% fewer, p < 0.001, z-test of proportions), a reduction in the number of days (61% fewer, p < 0.001, z-test) and incidences (58% fewer p < 0.001, z-test) where the subjects functioned sub-optimally and the number of work/school days missed due to illness (58% fewer, p = 0.035, z-test).

CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that supplementation of the diet with aged garlic extract may enhance immune cell function and that this may be responsible, in part, for reduced severity of colds and flu.

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Ashraf, R., R. A. Khan and I. Ashraf. 2011. Garlic (Allium sativum) supplementation with standard antidiabetic agent provides better diabetic control in type 2 diabetes patients.Pak J Pharm Sci. 24, 4: 565-570.

Abstract: Garlic has been used safely since ancient times as both food and medicine in human populations, but studies of its efficacy in the management of diabetes have yielded conflicting results. This study has evaluated the potential hypoglycemic effects of garlic in type 2 diabetic patients. The study was conducted in diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients (n=60) with fasting blood sugar level above 126 mg/dl to evaluate the effects of adding garlic tablets with standard antidiabetic therapy on blood sugar. Patients were divided randomly into 2 groups. Group 1 (n=30) was given tablet Garlic(KWAI) 300 mg thrice daily + Metformin 500 mg twice daily and Group 2 (n=30) was given Placebo+Metformin 500 mg twice daily respectively for 24 weeks. Serum lipids and fasting blood glucose were measured at week 0, 12 and week 24. Group1 showed significant reduction in fasting blood sugar at week 24 with a percentage decrease of (-3.12 percent) (P = <0.005) as compared to group 2 (0.59 percent). At the end of week 24, GR1 group also showed considerable decrease in mean total cholesterol (6.2 mg/dl, -2.82%, P=<0.005), LDL-C (-3 mg/dl, 2.18% P=<0.005), triglycerides (-5.2 mg/dl, 3.12%, P<0.005) while HDL cholesterol was significantly increased (2.36 mg/dl, 6.72%, P<0.005) as compared to GR2 group. Combination of garlic with typical antidiabetic remedy has shown to improve glycemic control in addition to antihyperlipidemic activity. Garlic may be a good addition in the management of patients with diabetes and hyperlipidemia.

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Kim, M. J. and H. K. Kim. 2011. Effect of garlic on high fat induced obesity. Acta Biol Hung. 62, 3: 244-254.

Abstract: The present study was performed to examine the effects of garlic on obesity and blood lipid profiles in high-fat induced obesity mice model, and to elucidate the molecular mechanisms responsible for such effect. C57BL/6 mice were fed a standard diet (STD) or high-fat diet (HFD) for 5 weeks to induce obesity. Mice were then randomly divided into four groups with 10 mice per group, and fed experimental diet for 4 weeks; STD group, HFD group, HFD containing 2% or 4% garlicgroup (HFD + G2 or HFD + G4, respectively). Administration of garlic significantly reduced HFD-induced body weight, epididymal fat accumulation, hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia. Consequently, the atherogenic indexes were reduced by 83% and 91%, respectively, in 2% and 4%garlic supplemented group. Liver steatosis induced by HFD was ameliorated by garlicsupplementation. Furthermore, garlic affected the down regulation of expression patterns of epididymal adipose tissue genes such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), acetyl CoA carboxylase (ACC), adipose specific fatty acid binding protein (aP2), and glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH). These results suggest that garlic may have a potential benefit in preventing obesity.

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Xie, W. and L. Du. 2011. Diabetes is an inflammatory disease: evidence from traditional Chinese medicines. Diabetes Obes Metab. 13, 4: 289-301.

Diabetes is usually associated with inflammation. Inflammation contributes to the development of diabetes. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) play an important role in lowering blood glucose and controlling inflammation. Many studies show that TCM with hypoglycaemic effects, for example Radix Astragali, Radix Rehmanniae, Radix Trichosanthis, Panax Ginseng, Fructus Schisandrae, Radix Ophiopogonis, Rhizoma Anemarrhenae, Radix Puerariae, Fructus Lycii, Poria, Rhizoma Coptidis, Rhizoma Dioscoreae, Rhizoma Polygonati, Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, Radix Glycyrrhizae, Semen Trigonellae, Momordica charantia, Allium sativum, Opuntia stricta, Aloe vera, Cortex Cinnamomi, Rhizoma Curcumae Longae, and so on, have nearly independent anti-inflammatory action. Antihyperglycaemic compounds, for example berberine, puerarin, quercetin, ferulic acid, astragaloside IV, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, resveratrol, tetrandrine, glycyrrhizin, emodin and baicalin, used in TCM also have anti-inflammatory effects. These studies suggest that TCM might exert hypoglycaemic effects that are partly mediated by the anti-inflammatory mechanisms. However, small amounts of TCM with potent anti-inflammatory action does not have any hypoglycaemic effect. This indirectly indicates that diabetes may be a low-grade inflammatory disease and potent regulation of inflammatory mediators may not be required. Studies of TCM add new evidences, which indicate that diabetes may be an inflammatory disease and slight or moderate inhibition of inflammation might be useful to prevent the development of diabetes. Through this review, we aim to develop more perspectives to indicate that diabetes may be an inflammatory disease and diverse TCM may share a common antidiabetic property: anti-inflammatory action. Further studies should focus on and validate inflammation-regulating targets of TCM that may be involved in inhibiting the development of diabetes.

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Williams, F. M., J. Skinner, T. D. Spector, A. Cassidy, I. M. Clark, R. M. Davidson and A. J. MacGregor. 2010. Dietary garlic and hip osteoarthritis: evidence of a protective effect and putative mechanism of action. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 11: 280.

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Patterns of food intake and prevalent osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee were studied using the twin design to limit the effect of confounding factors. Compounds found in associated food groups were further studied in vitro.

METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted in a large population-based volunteer cohort of twins. Food intake was evaluated using the Food Frequency Questionnaire; OA was determined using plain radiographs. Analyses were adjusted for age, BMI and physical activity. Subsequent in vitro studies examined the effects of allium-derived compounds on the expression of matrix-degrading proteases in SW1353 chondrosarcoma cells.

RESULTS: Data were available, depending on phenotype, for 654-1082 of 1086 female twins (median age 58.9 years; range 46-77). Trends in dietary analysis revealed a specific pattern of dietary intake, that high in fruit and vegetables, showed an inverse association with hip OA (p = 0.022). Consumption of 'non-citrus fruit' (p = 0.015) and 'alliums' (p = 0.029) had the strongest protective effect. Alliums contain diallyl disulphide which was shown to abrogate cytokine-induced matrix metalloproteinase expression.

CONCLUSIONS: Studies of diet are notorious for their confounding by lifestyle effects. While taking account of BMI, the data show an independent effect of a diet high in fruit and vegetables, suggesting it to be protective against radiographic hip OA. Furthermore, diallyl disulphide, a compound found in garlic and other alliums, represses the expression of matrix-degrading proteases in chondrocyte-like cells, providing a potential mechanism of action.

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Salem, S., M. Salahi, M. Mohseni, H. Ahmadi, A. Mehrsai, Y. Jahani and G. Pourmand. 2011. Major dietary factors and prostate cancer risk: a prospective multicenter case-control study. Nutr Cancer. 63, 1: 21-27.

Abstract: The association between diet and prostate cancer (PC) risk, although suggestive, still remains largely elusive particularly in the Asian population. This study sought to further evaluate the possible effects of different dietary factors on risk of PC in Iran. Using data from a prospective hospital-based multicenter case-control study, dietary intakes of red meat, fat, garlic, and tomato/tomato products, as well as thorough demographic and medical characteristics, were determined in 194 cases with the newly diagnosed, clinicopathologically confirmed PC and 317 controls, without any malignant disease, admitted to the same network of hospitals. Odds ratios (ORs) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained after adjustment for major potential confounders, including age, body mass index, smoking, alcohol, education, occupation, family history of PC, and total dietary calories. Comparing the highest with the lowest tertile, a significant trend of increasing risk with more frequent consumption was found for dietary fat (OR: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.71-4.51), whereas inverse association was observed for tomato/tomato products (OR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.16-0.65). A nonsignificant increase in PC risk was revealed for dietary red meat (OR: 1.69, 95% CI: 0.93-3.06). For garlic consumption, a borderline reduction in risk was observed (OR: 0.58, 95% CI: 0.32-1.01; P = 0.05). In conclusion, our study supports the hypothesis that total fat may increase PC risk and tomatoes/tomato products and garlic may protect patients against PC.

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Vazquez-Prieto, M. A. and R. M. Miatello. 2010. Organosulfur compounds and cardiovascular disease. Molecular Aspects of Medicine. 31, 6: 540-545.

Abstract: Epidemiological studies have shown an inverse relationship between consumption of fruits and vegetables and the risk of cardiovascular disease. Phytochemicals are non-nutritionalchemical compounds found in small quantities in fruits and vegetables with known health benefits. Among them, organosulfides are present mainly in garlic and onion characterized by their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and isothiocyanates in cruciferous vegetables have anticarcinogenic effects in experimental models. In this review, we are focusing on the main biological studies regarding the beneficial effect of organosulfur compounds on their protection against cardiovascular disease.

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Sobenin, I. A., V. V. Pryanishnikov, L. M. Kunnova, Y. A. Rabinovich, D. M. Martirosyan and A. N. Orekhov. 2010. The effects of time - released garlic powder tablets on multi-functional cardiovascular risk in patients with coronary artery disease. Lipids Health Dis. 19, 9: 119.

Abstract: The double-blinded placebo-controlled randomized study has been performed in 51 coronary heart disease (CHD) patients to estimate the effects of time-released garlic powder tablets Allicor on the values of 10-year prognostic risk of acute myocardial infarction (fatal and non-fatal) and sudden death, with the respect of secondary CHD prevention. It has been demonstrated that 12-month treatment with Allicor results in the significant decrease of cardiovascular risk by 1.5-fold in men (p<0.05), and by 1.3-fold in women. The above results were equitable also in terms of relative risks. The main effect that played a role in cardiovascular risk reduction was the decrease in LDL cholesterol by 32.9 mg/dl in men (p<0.05), and by 27.3 mg/dl in women. Thus, the most significant effects were observed in men, while in women the decrease of cardiovascular risk appeared as a trend that might be due presumably to the insufficient sample size. Since Allicor is the remedy of natural origin, it is safe with the respect to adverse effects and allows even perpetual administration that may be crucial for the secondary prevention of atherosclerotic diseases in CHD patients.

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Colalto, C. 2010. Herbal interactions on absorption of drugs: Mechanisms of action and clinical risk assessment. Pharmacol Res. 62, 3: 207-227.

Abstract:

Many herbal medications are used to treat diseases but while they are often efficacious, their safety is rarely considered by physicians or users. One particular safety concern is the risk of interactions with drugs, which often lead to toxicity or loss of therapeutic efficacy. In order to assess this risk, it is important to consider all potential mechanisms of pharmacokinetic interference. A large number of in vivo and invitro experiments and clinical studies have cast light on the possible effects of botanical products and phytochemicals on the many enzymes and transporters involved in gastrointestinal drug absorption. This review gives an overview and assessment of the most widely sold herbal medicinal products, including liquorice, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, green tea, St. John's wort, saw palmetto,turmeric, valerian, milk thistle and echinacea, on the basis of the available scientific evidence. Sound knowledge of the mechanisms of herb-drug interactions is essential for clinical risk assessment, in turn vital to healthcare practitioners in their efforts to reduce minimise risk and ensure that taking herbal medicinal products is as safe as possible.

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Ried, K., O. R. Frank and N. P. Stocks . 2010. Aged garlic extract lowers blood pressure in patients with treated but uncontrolled hypertension: A randomised controlled trial. Maturitas. 67, 2: 144-150. 

Abstract :

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect, tolerability and acceptability of aged garlic extract as an adjunct treatment to existing antihypertensive medication in patients with treated, but uncontrolled, hypertension. DESIGN: A double-blind parallel randomised placebo-controlled trial involving 50 patients whose routine clinical records in general practice documented treated but uncontrolled hypertension. The active treatment group received four capsules of aged garlic extract (960mg containing 2.4mg S-allylcysteine) daily for 12 weeks, and the control group received matching placebos. The primary outcome measures were systolic and diastolic blood pressure at baseline, 4, 8 and 12 weeks, and change over time. We also assessed tolerability during the trial and acceptability at 12 weeks. RESULTS: In patients with uncontrolled hypertension (SBP>/=140mmHg at baseline), systolic blood pressure was on average 10.2+/-4.3mmHg (p=0.03) lower in the garlic group compared with controls over the 12-week treatment period. Changes in blood pressure between the groups were not significant in patients with SBP<140mmHg at baseline. Aged garlic extract was generally well tolerated and acceptability of trial treatment was high (92%). CONCLUSION: Our trial suggests that aged garlic extract is superior to placebo in lowering systolic blood pressure similarly to current first line medications in patients with treated but uncontrolled hypertension

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De, B., D. Dutta, S. Pal, S. Gangopadhyay, S. Baksi and A. Pani. 2010. The role of garlic in hepatopulmonary syndrome: A randomized controlled trial. Can J Gastroenterol. 24, 3: 183-8.

Abstract;

BACKGROUND: Increased nitric oxide production in cirrhosis has been commonly implicated in the genesis of hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS). Initial studies suggested that garlic, a constituent of the daily diet, may have a role in the treatment of HPS by altering nitric oxide production.OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of oral garlic supplementation on arterial blood gas parameters, and overall morbidity and mortality in patients with HPS. METHODS: Twenty-one and 20 HPS patients were randomly assigned to receive either oral garlic supplementation or placebo, respectively, and were evaluated monthly over a period of nine to 18 months. RESULTS: After nine months, garlic supplementation was associated with a 24.66% increase in baseline arterial oxygen levels (83.05 mmHg versus 66.62 mmHg; P<0.001), compared with only a 7.37% increase (68.75 mmHg versus 64.05 mmHg; P=0.02) among subjects in the placebo group. There was also a 28.35% decrease in alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (21.35 mmHg versus 29.77 mmHg; P<0.001) among patients with HPS who received garlic, in contrast with only a 10.73% decrease (29.11 mmHg versus 32.61 mmHg; P=0.12) among those in the placebo group. After nine months, the arterial oxygen level was significantly higher (83.05 mmHg versus 68.75 mmHg; P<0.001) and the alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient was significantly lower (21.35 mmHg versus 29.11 mmHg; P<0.001) among patients receiving garlic compared with those receiving placebo. Reversal of HPS was observed in 14 of 21 patients (66.67%) on garlic supplementation (intent-to-treat analysis) and in one of 20 patients (5%) on placebo. Two of 21 patients undergoing garlic supplementation died during follow-up in contrast to seven of 20 patients who were on placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Garlic supplementation may be beneficial in patients with HPS for the reversal of intrapulmonary shunts as well as reducing hypoxemia and mortality.

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Yang, A.K., S.M. He, L. Liu, J. P. Liu, M. Q. Wei and S.F. Zhou. 2010.  Herbal Interactions with Anticancer Drugs: Mechanistic and Clinical Considerations. Curr Med Chem. Article in press.

Abstract; A large number of herbal remedies (e.g. garlic, mistletoe, Essiac, Lingzhi, and astragalus) are used by cancer patients for treating the cancer and/or reducing the toxicities of chemotherapeutic drugs. Some herbal medicines have shown potentially beneficial effects on cancer progression and may ameliorate chemotherapy-induced toxicities. However, there is no or weak scientific basis for the clinical use of these herbal medicines in cancer management and almost none of these plant medicines have been tested in rigorous clinical trials. There are increased reports on the interaction of herbal medicines and anticancer drugs that is becoming a safety concern. For example, a clinical study in cancer patients reported that treatment of St John's wort at 900 mg/day orally for 18 days decreased the plasma levels of the active metabolite of irinotecan, SN-38, by 42%. In healthy subjects, 2 weeks of treatment with St John's wort at 900 mg/day significantly decreased the systemic exposure of imatinib by 32%. In women with advanced breast cancer, coadministration of garlic supplement reduced the clearance of docetaxol by 23.1-35.1%, although the difference did not achieve statistical significance. Most anticancer drugs undergo Phase I and/or II metabolism and are substrates of P-glycoprotein, breast cancer resistance protein, multidrug resistance associated proteins, and/or other transporters. Induction and inhibition of these enzymes and transporters is considered an important mechanism for herb-anticancer drug interactions. Further studies are warranted to investigate potentially harmful herbal interactions with anticancer drugs in patients.

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Koseoglu, M., F. Isleten, A. Atay and  Y. C. Kaplan. 2010. Effects of acute and subacute garlic supplement administration on serum total antioxidant capacity and lipid parameters in healthy volunteers. Phytother Res. 24, 3: 374-8.

Garlic has long been used for medicinal purposes. It has been shown that different forms of garlic have significant antioxidant effects. The strong flavor, odor and unwanted gastrointestinal side effects of fresh garlic has rendered the use of commercial garlic supplements as a preferable option. To investigate the effects of garlic supplementation on serum total antioxidant capacity and lipid parameters, 17 healthy volunteers were administered four standardized commercial garlic tablets every day for 30 days. Blood samples were taken at day 1 (before the first administration of tablets [control] and at 3 h after the administration of tablets), 15 and 30 days, respectively. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL cholesterol), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL cholesterol) and triglyceride (TG) were measured in sera. Serum TAC was increased significantly at 30 days compared with 15 days, 3 h and control. There was also a significant increase in serum TAC at 15 days compared with 3 h and control. Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and TG were not found to be significantly different between control, 3 h, 15 and 30 days. These data suggest that garlic, used as a dietary supplementation, may be beneficial in increasing the antioxidant capacity of the body.

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Simons, S., H. Wollersheim and T. Thien. 2009. A systematic review on the influence of trial quality on the effect of garlic on blood pressure. The Journal of Medicine. 67, 6: 212-219.

Ab s t r a c t

Background: Garlic is a widely used herbal product for hypertension. Previous meta-analyses on the effect of garlic on blood pressure (BP) have been contradictory however. We hypothesised that methodological deficiencies may have contributed to this disagreement. We therefore evaluated whether trials reporting on the effect of garlic on BP had sufficient methodological qualities and a proper description of BP determination.

Methods: MEDLINE , EM BASE , AMED , the COCHRANE library, IBIDS and CINA HL were systematically searched for trials reporting on the effect of garlic on BP. Both the methodological quality and the quality of blood pressure measurement were appraised using predefined quality scores.

Results: 32 Studies were identified. Of these studies, 13 were included previously by other meta-analyses. The methodological quality of the studies was poor. Only four trials had adequate allocation concealment, no single trial reported an intention-to-treat analysis and blinding of the evaluators was done in three trials only. Moreover, half of the studies did not report any data on BP measurement. No trials reported on the arm level. Body position was described most often. All trials fulfilling a predefined cutoff point were conducted in normotensive subjects.

Conclusion: The effect of garlic on blood pressure cannot be ascertained. Previous meta-analyses have been based on trials with inadequate study designs, methodological deficiencies and with too little information about blood pressure measurement. In our view, use of garlic cannot be recommended as antihypertensive advice for hypertensive patients in daily practice.

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Ried, K., O. R. Frank, N. P. Stocks, P. Fakler and T. Sullivan. 2008. Effect of garlic on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Cardiovascular Disorders. 8, 13.

Abstract

Background: Non-pharmacological treatment options for hypertension have the potential to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease at a population level. Animal studies have suggested that garlic reduces blood pressure, but primary studies in humans and non-systematic reviews have reported mixed results. With interest in complementary medicine for hypertension increasing, it is timely to update a systematic review and meta-analysis from 1994 of studies investigating the effect of garlic preparations on blood pressure.

Methods: We searched the Medline and Embase databases for studies published between 1955 and October 2007. Randomised controlled trials with true placebo groups, using garlic-only preparations, and reporting mean systolic and/or diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP) and standard deviations were included in the meta-analysis. We also conducted subgroup meta-analysis by baseline blood pressure (hypertensive/normotensive), for the first time. Meta-regression analysis was performed to test the associations between blood pressure outcomes and duration of treatment, dosage, and blood pressure at start of treatment.

Results: Eleven of 25 studies included in the systematic review were suitable for meta-analysis. Meta-analysis of all studies showed a mean decrease of 4.6 ±  2.8 mm Hg for SBP in the garlic groupcompared to placebo (n = 10; p = 0.001), while the mean decrease in the hypertensive subgroup was 8.4 ± 2.8 mm Hg for SBP (n = 4; p < 0.001), and 7.3 ± 1.5 mm Hg for DBP (n = 3; p < 0.001).Regression analysis revealed a significant association between blood pressure at the start of theintervention and the level of blood pressure reduction (SBP: R = 0.057; p = 0.03; DBP: R = -0.315; p = 0.02).

Conclusion: Our meta-analysis suggests that garlic preparations are superior to placebo in reducing blood pressure in individuals with hypertension.

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Duda, G., J. Suliburska and D. Pupek-Musialik. 2008. Effects of short-term garlic supplementationon lipid metabolism and antioxidant status in hypertensive adults. Pharmacology Reports. 60, 163-170.

Abstract: This prospective and uncontrolled clinical study attempted to evaluate the effects of short-term supplementation with oily garlic formulation on lipid metabolism, glucose level and antioxidant status in patients suffering from primary arterial hypertension. Seventy subjects aged 30 to 60 years with primary arterial hypertension, including 38 females (mean age: 52.0 ± 8.3 years) and 32 males (mean age: 48.6 ± 8.2 years), took part in the study. In addition to receiving a standard antihypertensive pharmacotherapy they took 6 capsules of garlic preparation daily for 30 days. Before and after phytotherapy blood samples were collected to assay total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, lipid peroxidation products (TBARS) and vitamin A, C and E, 
-carotene, glutathione and glutathione peroxidase activity, and arterial blood pressure was measured. The analyzed garlic preparation was found to significantly lower lipid level and the level of lipid peroxidation products in the blood. It markedly increased vitamin E concentration in the serum, whereas the increases in the levels of other antioxidant vitamins and glutathione peroxidase activity proved insignificant. The product did not affect arterial blood pressure in the study subjects. The results of this study suggest that the investigated garlic preparation may be tentatively used as an adjunct agent in treatment of arterial hypertension because of its hypolipemic and antioxidant properties.

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Stephen Bent. 2008. Herbal Medicine in the United States: Review of Efficacy, Safety, and Regulation. J. Gen. Intern. Med. 23, 6: 854–9.

INTRODUCTION: Herbal products have gained increasing popularity in the last decade, and are now used by approximately 20% of the population. Herbal products are complex mixtures of organic chemicals that may come from any raw or processed part of a plant, including leaves, stems, flowers, roots, and seeds. Under the current law, herbs are defined as dietary supplements, and manufacturers can therefore produce, sell, and market herbs without first demonstrating safety and efficacy, as is required for pharmaceutical drugs. Although herbs are often perceived as “natural”and therefore safe, many different side effects have been reported owing to active ingredients, contaminants, or interactions with drugs.

RESULTS: Unfortunately, there is limited scientific evidence to establish the safety and efficacy of most herbal products. Of the top 10 herbs, 5 (ginkgo, garlic, St. John’s wort, soy, and kava) have scientific evidence suggesting efficacy, but concerns over safety and a consideration of other medical therapies may temper the decision to use these products.

CONCLUSIONS: Herbal products are not likely to become an important alternative to standard medical therapies unless there are changes to the regulation, standardization, and funding for research of these products.

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Sobenin, I., A, I. V. Andrianova , O. N. Demidova , T. Gorchakova and A. N. Orekhov. 2008. Lipid-lowering effects of time-released garlic powder tablets in double-blinded placebo-controlled randomized study. J. Atheroscler. Thromb. 15, 6: 334-8.

AIM: Clinical investigations of the effects of garlic preparations in hypercholesterolemia have demonstrated somewhat controversial results. These discrepancies may be due to the differences of the composition of garlic preparations and the biological response they may induce. The study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that garlic powder tablets with a prolonged mode of action promise potent biological effects.

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