ABSTRACT
Many medical practitioners have researched its insecticidal, antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, and antitumor activities.
More recently, garlic has been reported to be effective in ailments such as cardiovascular diseases because of its ability to lower serum
cholesterol
. A component of both garlic and onion,
S
-
methylcysteine sulfoxide
(SMCS) has been shown to reduce both blood cholesterol and the severity of atherosclerosis. Garlic has protective effects against
stroke
,
coronary thrombosis
,
atherosclerosis
, and
platelet aggregation
, as well as
infections
and
vascular disorders
. Furthermore, fibrinolytic activity increases following administration of garlic, thus preventing
atherosclerosis
and ischemic heart disease. Many claims of
antibiotic action
,
hypoglycemic effect
,
antitumor, antioxidant
, and
antithrombotic properties
have also been attributed to garlic (and onion) extracts.
