ABSTRACT
Garlic (Allium sativum) is a food species used importantly in different areas of the world. In addition to its nutritional value, this dish is endowed with several medicinal properties thanks to the presence of different bioactive substances in its overall composition. Indeed, garlic is rich in several bioactive molecules belonging to the family of polyphenols and flavonoids. Different biological activities and pharmacological properties of the extracts of A. sativum and their active products have been described in recent years. Indeed, they have shown antidiabetic and other effects. The different molecular mechanisms linked to these effects are due to the bioactive products which can act at different levels. In this chapter, we describe previous studies on A. sativum by addressing its botanical description, geographical distribution, traditional uses, and the antidiabetic effect of garlic. We also present the major bioactive compounds and safety properties behind this effect.
