garlic
The long-term use of garlic in ischemic heart disease--an appraisal.

Arora RC, Arora S, Gupta RK.

The hypocholesterolemic and fibrinolysis-enhancing properties of garlic were assessed in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) and in healthy control subjects. The peak of blood fibrinolytic activity (BFA) achieved at the 4th week of garlic therapy was not sustained despite its continuous use and returned to about the pre-garlic values at the 12th week. Garlic withdrawal did not cause any further change in BFA. Under the same conditions serum total cholesterol (STC) values did not show any significant change. Both of the foregoing features were observed in the IHD as well as in the control group. Garlic therapy for 12 weeks did not cause any appreciable changes in serum triglyceride, beta-lipoprotein, plasma fibrinogen levels or coagulation time in either IHD or control subjects. The evidence cited above does not appear to substantiate the prevalent popular belief in the efficacy of garlic in the management of IHD either as a hypocholesterolemic or as a fibrinolytic agent.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7306257&dopt=Abstract garlic



garlic
[Effect of raw and extracted-aged garlic juice on growth of young rats and their organs after peroral administration (author's transl)]

[Article in Japanese]

Nakagawa S, Masamoto K, Sumiyoshi H, Kunihiro K, Fuwa T.

The effects of peroral administration of raw garlic juice and extracted-aged garlic juice (garlic extract) were studied with female Wistar strain rats. For the examination, 5, 5 and 10 rats were sacrificed after 3, 8 and 21 days respectively. In the group to which raw garlic juice (5 ml/kg) was administered 5 rats died of the serious stomach injury in 21 days and body weight of still living rats was down at the beginning as food and water intake were decreased. The growth of rats to which raw garlic juice administered group was retarded. The retardation of growth was thought to be caused by the stomach injury due to raw garlic, which limited in fundus. The injured section of stomach was not far gone by the longer administration, however, the mucous secretion of the surface and neck area were stimulated. Swelling of the liver, hypertrophy of the spleen and adrenal glands, and the decrease of erythrocytes with various morphological changes were clearly observed after 3 and 8 days on the group dosed high raw garlic juice, but almost these changes were not observed at any time on extracted-aged garlic juice administration.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7431442&dopt=Abstract garlic



garlic
Vegetables responsible for contact dermatitis of the hands.

Sinha SM, Pasricha JS, Sharma R, Kandhari KC.

Fifty-three patients having contact dermatitis on the fingertips showed positive patch tests with several vegetables the commonest being garlic, onion, tomato, and carrot in that order of frequency. Of several preparations, made from garlic onion, tomato, and carrot, the juices used as such gave the maximum number of positive patch test reactions. Lyophilization of the juices led to false-negative patch tests in some cases. Patch tests in the controls were positive in some cases but these were probably cases of latent hypersensitivity, because some of them, like the patients, showed positive reactions even with the diluted juices. The antigens in garlic and onion were extractable in water, ether, acetone, or alcohol and were also present in the essential oils of these vegetables. Infrared spectra of the essential oils of garlic and onion were similar and showed straight chain acids, esters, and methylene groups. Clinically, there was no suggestion of cross-sensitivity between onion and garlic.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=869548&dopt=Abstract garlic



garlic
Mechanism of garlic (Allium sativum) induced reduction of hypertension in 2K-1C rats: a possible mediation of Na/H exchanger isoform-1.

Al-Qattan KK, Khan I, Alnaqeeb MA, Ali M.

Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Kuwait University, Kuwait.

Garlic causes reduction in blood pressure (BP), however the role of Na/H exchanger (NHE) which mediates hypertension and related tissue-damage is poorly understood. In this study the effect of an established dose of raw garlic extract was investigated on the expression of NHE-1 and -3 and sodium pump activity in a 2K-1C model of hypertension in rats. 2K-1C animals showed high BP, increased serum concentration of PGE2 and TxB2, hypertrophy of the unclipped kidneys, but not in the clipped kidneys In addition, NHE-1 and NHE-3 isoforms were increased in both the 2K-1C kidneys, whereas alpha-actin was increased in the clipped but not in unclipped kidneys. Sodium pump activity was decreased in the clipped kidneys, but remained unchanged in the unclipped kidneys. Garlic treatment reduced the induction of NHE-1 only in the unclipped 2K-1C kidneys, whereas garlic treatment increased the sodium pump activity in both the 2K-1C kidneys. These findings demonstrate that the antihypertensive action of garlic is associated with a reversal of NHE-1 induction in the unclipped kidneys. Induction of NHE isoforms together with a reduced sodium pump activity might cause necrosis in the 2K-1C clipped kidneys due to cellular retention of Na+. On the other hand, activation of sodium pump by garlic extract in the kidneys should reduce intracellular Na+ concentration and normalize BP. These findings signify the use of garlic in the treatment of hypertension.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12907130&dopt=Abstract garlic



garlic
Does regular garlic intake affect the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in asymptomatic subjects?

Salih BA, Abasiyanik FM.

Fatih University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology/Microbiology Unit, B.cekmece, Istanbul, Turkey. basalih fatih.edu.tr

OBJECTIVE: The in vitro antibacterial activity of garlic against Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) is well documented and the potential for its use in vivo was suggested. Garlic intake, a traditional habit by the Taskopru population in Turkey for decades, was examined for its effect on the prevalence of H. pylori and compared with the non garlic consuming group. METHODS: Eighty-one garlic consuming asymptomatic subjects in Kastamonu province in Turkey (68 males, 13 females) of 23-82 years of age (average 46) were selected on a very restricted bases in regards to the garlic intake (raw or cooked, or both), amount, duration and other criteria. Control group (non-garlic consuming) of 81 asymptomatic subjects (66 males, 15 females) of 23-90 years of age (average 43) were enrolled for comparison with the garlic consuming group. Serum samples were collected from both groups during the period from September 2001 through to April 2002 and examined by the enzyme linked immunoassay test for anti H.pylori antibodies. RESULTS: An overall H.pylori prevalence of 79% and 81% was detected in the garlic and non garlic consuming groups. A significantly lower average antibody titer was detected in the garlic consuming group than that of the control group and similarly in those who consumed mixture of raw plus cooked garlic as compared to those who consumed raw or cooked garlic alone. CONCLUSION: Garlic intake for long durations (years) did not appear to have an effect on the prevalence of H.pylori infection. Garlic consuming subjects had a significantly lower average antibody titer than non garlic consuming groups, which might suggest an indirect inhibitory effect on the reproduction of H.pylori and possibly progression to more serious peptic ulcer diseases.

Online source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12939668&dopt=Abstract garlic