Pharmaceutical Importance of Allium sativum L.5. Hypolipidemic Effect in vitro and in vivo

Overview

The paper summarizes the knowledge on the antihyperlipidemic effect of garlic, formulationsprepared from it, and the individual components, which were obtained prevalently in recent decade.It presents varying opinions based on experimental results concerning the mechanisms by meansof which the effect takes place. In vitro experiments were carried out mainly on the cultures of rathepatocytes and an inhibitory effect on important enzymic activities taking place in the biosynthesisof cholesterol and fatty acids was demonstrated. The most frequently employed in vivo models wererabbits. The antiatherogenic effect was markedly manifested by a reduction of lipid plaques in thearteries in hypercholesterolemic animals, decreased accumulation of cholesterol in vascular walls,and other positive interventions.

Key words:
Allium sativum – extracts – powders – isolates – antiatherogenic effect