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An Evidence-based Perspective of Allium Sativum (Garlic) for Cancer Patients

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Abstract

Allium sativum (garlic) has been used since prehistoric times in various cultures as a spice as well as a medicine to combat microbial and fungal infections, help in cardiovascular problems, stimulate immunological system or stop tumor growth. Epidemiological studies indicate that increased consumption of garlic is inversely correlated with the risk of different types of cancer in various human populations. Garlic preparations inhibit chemically induced cancers in animals. This chemo-preventive activity is attributed to organosulfur compounds which modulate Phase I and II detoxification enzymes, thus inhibit pro-carcinogen activation and/or enhance carcinogen neutralization and removal. Laboratory studies also indicate that garlic compounds suppress cancer development at post-initiation phases inducing cell cycle block and apoptosis as well as inhibiting angiogenesis and metastasis. Results of the in vitro studies explain the mechanisms of action of garlic organosulfurs at the molecular level, which is a necessary step before their clinical use for cancer patients. This chapter reviews the evidence on garlic chemo-preventive activities in human populations, animal models and limited clinical trials. It also summarizes the current knowledge on molecular mechanisms of its anti-proliferative activity toward cancer cells, possible interactions with drugs and impact on immune system—factors that should be considered before use of garlic compounds in cancer therapy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk, Kładki 24, 80-822, Gdańsk, Poland

    Anna Herman-Antosiewicz

  2. Department of Biotechnology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland

    Anna Kawiak

  3. Laboratory of Human Physiology, Faculty of Health Sciences with Subfaculty of Nursing, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland

    Anna Kawiak

  4. Department of Bioenergetics and Physiology of Exercise, Medical University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland

    Jędrzej Antosiewicz

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  1. Anna Herman-Antosiewicz
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Correspondence to Anna Herman-Antosiewicz .

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  1. Dept. Clinical Oncology, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gascoigne Road 30, Kowloon, Hong Kong/PR China

    William C.S. Cho

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Herman-Antosiewicz, A., Kawiak, A., Antosiewicz, J. (2011). An Evidence-based Perspective of Allium Sativum (Garlic) for Cancer Patients. In: Cho, W. (eds) Evidence-based Anticancer Materia Medica. Evidence-based Anticancer Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0526-5_10

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