Garlic fibrinolytic effects

Garlic has been reported to have lipid- and blood-pressure-lowering properties, as well as antiplatelet, antioxidant, and fibrinolytic effects. In animal models and human cell cultures, it has been shown to have antiatherosclerotic activity (see Chapter 50). The sulfur-containing component, allicin, is considered to be the principal active ingredient of garlic, but several other bioactive ingredients have also been isolated. 

Fibrinolytic effects of garlic have also been evaluated. Garlic oil was shown to increase fibrinolytic activity by 55% (p <0.01) after 3 months of treatment, with 2 g twice daily for 3 months. Fibrinogen was not affected (24). A dried garlic preparation (Sapec) was shown to significantly increase tissue plasminogen activator activity compared to placebo after 1 day and 14 days of treatment (23). 

Clinical trials report antiplatelet effects following garlic ingestion and mixed effects on fibrinolytic activity. These effects in combination with antioxidant effects and reductions in total cholesterol may be beneficial in patients with atherosclerosis. In preliminary trials involving atherosclerotic patients, significant reductions in plaque volume were observed for patients taking garlic versus placebo. 

Jain, R.C. 1977. Effect of garlic on serum lipids, coagulability and fibrinolytic activity of blood. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 30, 1380-1381. 

Garlic has been shown to have significant effects on the cardiovascular system. Such areas include improvement in lipids, modest effects on blood pressure, platelet inhibition, antioxidant effects, and a decrease in fibrinolytic activity. In vitro studies have shown garlic possesses specific antiatherosclerotic effects such as reducing inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression (10), inhibition of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-induced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and inhibition of oxidized LDL-induced depletion of glutathione (11). 

Bordia A, Verma SK, Srivastava KC. Effect of garlic (Allium sativum) on blood lipids, blood sugar, fibrinogen and fibrinolytic activity in patients with coronary artery disease. Prostagland Leukotr Essen Fatty Acids 1998 58 257-263. 

The fibrinolytic activity of the onion and garlic constituent cyclo-alliin has been confirmed.Aspirin has been reported to have fibrinolytic activity, independent of its platelet effects. A heparin-urea complex was reported to enhance fibrinolysis, while each component separately had no effect. 

Bordia AK, Joshi HK, Sanadhya YK, Bhu N (1977) Effect of essential oil of garlic on serum fibrinolytic activity in patients with coronary artery disease. Atherosclerosis 28(2) 155-159. doi 10.1016/0021-9150(77)90152-6... 

Gadkari, J.V. and Joshi, V.D. 1991. Effect of ingestion of raw garlic on serum cholesterol level, clotting time and fibrinolytic activity in normal subjects. J Postgrad Med 37(3) 128-131. 

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