The antimicrobial effect in vitro of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of garlic (Allium sativum Linn.), ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and lime (Citrus aurantifolia Linn.) juice were assayed against Staphylococcus aureus; Bacillus spp., Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. All the test organisms were susceptible to undiluted lime-juice. The aqueous and ethanolic extracts of garlic and ginger singly did not inhibit any of the test organisms. The highest inhibition zone of 19 mm was observed with a combination of extracts on Staphylococcus aureus. Salmonella spp were resistant to almost all the extracts except lime.

Short Communication - Studies on the antimicrobial effects of garlic (Allium sativum Linn), ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and lime (Citrus aurantifolia Linn)

Repurposing potential of Ayurvedic medicinal plants derived active principles against SARS-CoV-2 associated target proteins revealed by molecular docking, molecular dynamics and MM-PBSA studies.

Garlic (Allium sativa L.) is a bulbous flowering plant belongs to the family of Amaryllidaceae and is a predominant horticultural crop originating from central Asia. Garlic and its products are chiefly used for culinary and therapeutic purposes in many countries. Bulbs of raw garlic have been investigated for their role in oral health, which are ascribed to a myriad of biologically active compounds such as alliin, allicin, methiin, S-allylcysteine (SAC), diallyl sulfide (DAS), S-ally-mercapto cysteine (SAMC), diallyl disulphide (DADS), diallyl trisulfide (DATS) and methyl allyl disulphide. A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA statement. Scopus, PubMed, Clinicaltrials.gov, and Science direct databases were searched between 12 April 2021 to 4 September 2021. A total of 148 studies were included and the qualitative synthesis phytochemical profile of GE, biological activities, therapeutic applications of garlic extract (GE) in oral health care system, and its mechanism of action in curing various oral pathologies have been discussed. Furthermore, the safety of incorporation of GE as food supplements is also critically discussed. To conclude, GE could conceivably make a treatment recourse for patients suffering from diverse oral diseases.

Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Bioactives and Its Role in Alleviating Oral Pathologies.

Since the outbreak in December 2019, in Wuhan (China) of COVID-19, approved drugs are still lacking and the world is seeking effective treatment. The purpose of this article is to review the medicinal plants with potential to be used as complementary therapies against COVID-19. Bibliographic information was searched in several databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, PROTA, ResearchGate and GLOBEinMED), to retrieve relevant papers on (1) plants used to manage common symptoms of COVID-19, (2) plant secondary metabolites with confirmed inhibitory effects on COVID-19 and (3) plants exhibiting pharmacological activities of relevance for COVID-19 management. A total of 230 species was recorded as potential source of ingredients for the fight against the 2019 novel corona virus. Of these species, 30 contain confirmed antiCOVID-19 secondary metabolites, 90 are used traditionally to manage at least 3 common symptoms of COVID-19, 10 have immunostimulant activity, 52 have anti-inflamatory activity, 14 have antiviral properties and 78 species are documented as used to treat malaria. A PCA analysis showing cluster formatting among the recorded species indicates 4 groups of species and an array of possibility of using individual species or a combination of species for their complementary effects. The authors argue that Cameroonian medicinal plants can be of potential contribution to the fight against COVID-19. Further applied research is needed to provide more scientific evidence for their efficacy, to establish standard formulations and clinical studies as part of efforts to develop therapies for COVID-19.

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A review of Cameroonian medicinal plants with potentials for the management of the COVID-19 pandemic

Diabetes affects a substantial part of the world’s population and, possibly, is the world’s fastest-growing metabolic disease. Garlic, Allium sativum L., Liliaceae, a popular cooking spice with a long history as traditional medicine, has been demonstrated to exhibit antidiabetic properties. Garlic is a rich natural source of bioactive sulfur-containing compounds with potential antidiabetic properties. This review aimed to present a summary of the most recent and relevant literature pertaining to the use of garlic for the prevention and treatment of diabetes, and the potential use of this natural food as complementary or alternative medicine. This review also focuses on the essential biological roles of the bioactive compounds present in garlic in the treatment of diabetes along with identifying and addressing the related pathways related to diabetes regulation. This review further emphasizes the relevance of evidence on garlic’s antidiabetic efficacy in experimentally induced or inherited animal models, as well as human cell line studies, and discusses the mechanisms of action of garlic as both an insulin sensitizer and secretagogue. Conclusions of this review on the therapeutic aspects of garlic and its bioactive compounds highlight the medicinal and folk values of this spice and its active compounds against diabetes.

Antidiabetic Effect of Garlic

Garlic is one of the important bulb crops grown and used as a spice or a condiment throughout India. According to the Unani and Ayurvedic systems as practised in India, garlic is carminative and is a gastric stimulant and thus help in digestion and absorption of food. Allicin present in aquous extract of garlic reduces cholesterol concentration in human blood. Garlic extract has antimicrobial activity against many genera of bacteria, fungi and viruses. Garlic contains a higher concentration of sulfur compounds which are responsible for its medicinal effects. The chemical constituents of garlic have also been investigated for treatment of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, blood pressure, atherosclerosis and hyperlipidaemia and highly praised by several authors. Therefore, this paper is reviewed to inspire and impress the young researchers about the medicinal values of garlic. The inhalation of garlic oil or garlic juice has generally been recommended by doctors in case of pulmonary tuberculosis, rheumatism, sterility, impotency, cough and red eyes. Garlic possesses insecticidal action. About 1% garlic extract gives protection against mosquitoes for 8 hours. Extract of garlic along with chilli and ginger has beneficial action against soil nematodes. Beneficial use of garlic extract has been found against many fungi. Garlic is probably one of the earliest known medicinal plants, which used from ancient time to cure different disease conditions in human. Garlic’s principal medicinal uses are to lower blood pressure and cholesterol, fight infections, and prevent cancer. The main interest of researchers in the medicinal values of garlic is its broad-spectrum therapeutic effect with minimal toxicity. Garlic extract has antimicrobial activity against many genera of bacteria, fungi and viruses. Garlic contains a higher concentration of lavoura compounds which are responsible for its medicinal effects. The active constituents are avoura-containing compounds that are rapidly absorbed and metabolized. Numerous studies suggest that garlic lowers total cholesterol concentrations by approximately 10%, favorably altering HDL/LDL ratios. Literature survey support garlic’s effectiveness as a mild antihypertensive, lowering blood pressure by 5-7%. Garlic inhibits platelet aggregation and enhances fibrinolytic activity, reducing clots on damaged endothelium. Another important use of garlic is as antidiabetic. Garlic controls the blood sugar level by different types of mechanisms. In vitro studies and animal data suggest that garlic may help to prevent some solid tumors. Therefore garlic is also effective in the cancer prevention. There are no studies evaluating its effectiveness in treating children or pregnant or nursing women. The other proposed uses of garlic include the hepatoprotective, antihelmentics, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal and wound healing. Garlic, from crushed to capsules, is consumed throughout the world. The active chemical in garlic is allicin, which is produced when raw garlic is crushed, allowing the enzyme alliinase to act on the stable precursor allin. Garlic’s antidiabetic, antibiotic and perhaps anticancer effects are well accepted in the world over, because of the many scientific literature supporting these effects. Garlic also has hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and antihelmentic effect. This review paper demonstrated some of the benefits of garlic for its potential uses in preventing and curing different diseases, and acting as antioxidant for many radicals. Fresh and powdered garlic are popular for food flavor and should continue to be used. Today, with the ever-growing resistant organisms, taking of garlic extract remains a powerful antimicrobial agent. Clearly more studies are needed to refine the use and improvement of the efficacy of this important medicinal plant. It is corresponding that substitute medicines practices with plant extracts including garlic as a means of decreasing the burden of diseases would be of public health importance.

Jaivir Singh

Papers

Medicinal values of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) in Human Life: An Overview