Garlic effects

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Garlic effects on cardiovascular risks and disease, protective effects against cancer, and clinical adverse effects. Summary, evidence report/technology assessment, www.ahrq.gov/clinic/epcsums/ garlicsum.htm. Date accessed June 11,2006. 

Pedraza-Chaverri J, Gil-Ortiz M, Albarran G, Barbachano-Esparza L, Menjivar M, Medina-Campos ON (2004) Garlic s ability to prevent in vitro Cu -induced lipoprotein oxidation in human serum is preserved in heated garlic effect unrelated to Cu -chelation. Nutr J 3 10. doi 10.1186/1475-2891-3-10... 

The unusual physical complaints and findings in workers overexposed to teUurium include somnolence, anorexia, nausea, perspiration, a metallic taste in the mouth and garlic-like odor on the breath (48). The unpleasant odor, attributed to the formation of dimethyl teUuride, has not been associated with any adverse health symptoms. Tellurium compounds and metaboUc products have been identified in exhaled breath, sweat, urine, and feces. Elimination is relatively slow and continuous exposure may result in some accumulation. No definite pathological effects have been observed beyond the physical complaints outlined. Unlike selenium, teUurium has not been proved to be an essential biological trace element. 

Researchers have identified several antifungal herbs that are effective against tinea pedis (athlete s foot), such as tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) and garlic (Allium sativum). 

SPARNINS V L, BARANY G, WATTENBERG Lw. (1988) Effects of organosulfur compounds from garlic and onions on benzo[a]pyrene-induced neoplasia and glutathione S-transferase activity in the mouse. Carcinogenesis. 9 131-4. 

Garlic s proven mechanisms of action include (a) inhibition of platelet function, (b) increased levels of two antioxidant enzymes, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, and (c) inhibition of thiol enzymes such as coenzyme A and HMG coenzyme A reductase. Garlic s anti-hyperlipidemic effects are believed to be in part due to the HMG coenzyme A reductase inhibition since prescription medications for hyperlipidemia have that mechanism of action (statins). It is unknown whether garlic would have the same drug interactions, side effects, and need for precautions as the statins. 

Many dietary supplements have antiplatelet activity, which may increase the risk of bleeding when used concurrently with anticoagulants. Feverfew inhibits cyclooxygenase and phospholipase A2 and may interact with anticoagulants and potentiate the antiplatelet effect of aspirin. Other supplements that possess antiplatelet activity include but are not limited to garlic, ginkgo, vitamin E, vitamin A, and selenium. 

Silagy CA, Neil HAW. A meta-analysis of the effect of garlic on blood pressure. J Hypertension 12 463 468, 1994. 

Experiment 1. Effects of volatile allelochemicals on development of pollen tubes. In this experiment, volatile and liquid excretions from plants with pesticidic properties were tested (Table 3). The development of pollen tubes depend on the concentration and the distance from the object glass with microspores moistened with nutrient medium vapors of lavender oil (active matter) depress the process as well as red pepper, but garlic not. Water extracts of garlic were more effective. 

Arivazhagan S, Velmurugan B, Bhuvaneswari V and Nagini S. 2004. Effects of aqueous extracts of garlic (Allium sativum) and neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf on hepatic and blood oxidant-antioxidant status during experimental gastric carcinogenesis. J Med Food 7(3) 334—339. 

Arsine is a colorless gas with a mild garlic-like odor. Effects from exposures are cumulative and may occur at levels below the odor threshold. 

The effect of applied plant residues can be positively influenced by an increase of temperature. Mallek et al. (2007) established that dried and milled crop residues of onion (Allium cepa L.) or garlic (A. sativum L.) were able to reduce seed germination of barnyard grass (E. crus-galli (L.) R Beauv.), common purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.), london rocket (Sisymbrium irio L.) during their decomposition in soil, but only at the elevated (39°C) soil temperature. It can support combination of methods for weed control, in this case allelopathy with soil heating treatments (e.g., solarization). 

Observational studies that track disease incidence in different pop-(5°) ulations suggest that garlic use in the diet may act as a cancer-fighting agent, particularly for prostate and stomach cancer. However, these findings have not been confirmed in clinical studies. And yes, reported side effects include garlic odor. 

The experiment with 0.5 g/mL of erode extracts of different parts of Allium plants (bulb, green leaf, white stalk) showed the inhibition of acrosin and trypsin activities, mostiy the red onion and garlic extracts. These results demonstrated that spermicidal effect of Allium extracts is determined also by their capacity of protease inhibition. The red onion extract shows the higher antioxidant capacity and a very low cytotoxicity. 

Organosulfur compounds present inAllium vegetables, which are either lipid or water soluble, are considered responsible for the beneficial effects of these herbs. Garlic derivatives generally have a thioallyl moiety, whereas onion extracts contain a thiopropyl group with somewhat different chemical properties [14]. 

The values of acrosin activity obtained by the method based on the Kennedy et al. assay are summarized in Table 41.1. The boar semen ( 6.5 x 10 spermatozoa/mL) was treated, or not, with plant extract (0.5 g/mL) and the inhibition of acrosin activity indicates the spermicidal effect of plant extracts, about 50% for red onion extract and 25% for garlic extract, for instance. 

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