Garlic (Allium sativum): Pharmacological Insights and Therapeutic Potential
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Abstract
Garlic (Allium sativum) has long been used in traditional medicine and is supported by scientific evidence for its wide-ranging pharmacological properties. This paper reviews the therapeutic potential of garlic, focusing on its antimicrobial activity and broader health benefits, including antihypertensive, anti-glycemic, antioxidant, detoxifying, anticancer, antiviral, and antifungal effects. A meta-synthesis of in vitro, in vivo, and epidemiological studies was conducted to evaluate the pharmacological actions of garlic and its bioactive compounds. The findings demonstrate that garlic effectively inhibits a broad spectrum of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, including antibiotic-resistant strains, while also providing protective effects against cardiovascular, metabolic, and oxidative stress–related disorders. These results support garlic’s role as a valuable natural medicine and a complementary agent in disease prevention and health management.
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