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Consumption of aqueous garlic extract leads to significant improvement in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer
Abstract
AimInvestigation of possible effects of garlic extract supplementation on disease parameters of patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PC). Materials and methods: Twenty seven patients with BPH and 9 patients with prostate cancer participated in the study. Patients consumed aqueous garlic extract at the daily amount of 1 ml/kg weight for a month and then, pre- and post- disease parameters were examined. Results: Mass of prostate was found to be significantly lowered in the BPH group after extract consumption. Urinary frequency was established to be decreased, maximum and average rates of urine flow significantly increased after experimental period. In the cancer group, significantly lowered total and free PSA values were measured after extract consumption. No change was however observed in the mass of prostate of this group. The parameters of urinary frequency, maximum and average rates of urinary flow were also established to be significantly improved in the cancer group. Conclusions: Results suggest that garlic extract supplementation leads to significant improvement in disease parameters of the patients with BPH and PC.
... Previous reviews have overestimated the effectiveness of these phytotherapics to favorably influence hormonal parameters, and, to date, the real physiological impact remains unclear (Chhatre et al., 2014;Malviya et al., 2011;Nagulapalli Venkata et al., 2017;Yadav and Baquer, 2014;Zhu et al., 2017). However, with prostate disease treatment, the results of experimental models that have utilized phytotherapics show promising effects (Ishola et al., 2018;Jiang et al., 2006;Lee et al., 2017aLee et al., , 2017b, whereas investigations in humans have documented notable effects for food items and nutraceutical agents (Durak et al., 2003;Rowles et al., 2018;Shoskes et al., 1999). Thus, the primary purpose of this review is to critically assess the physiological impact of these herbs on both serum T and sperm characteristics from human intervention studies and, secondly, to discuss natural adjuvant treatments for prostate diseases. ...
... Garlic extract supplementation may lead to improvements in disease parameters in patients with BPH and prostate cancer. Durak et al. provided aqueous garlic extract in a daily amount of 1 mL/kg of body weight to 27 patients with BPH and nine patients with prostate cancer for one month (Durak et al., 2003). The main reported findings following extract consumption were a lower prostate mass in the BPH group, and significant decreases in total PSA (8.9 vs. 3.6 ng/L, p < 0.01) and free PSA (1.9 vs. 0.8 ng/L, p < 0.01) values in the cancer group. ...
... The main reported findings following extract consumption were a lower prostate mass in the BPH group, and significant decreases in total PSA (8.9 vs. 3.6 ng/L, p < 0.01) and free PSA (1.9 vs. 0.8 ng/L, p < 0.01) values in the cancer group. Furthermore, significant improvements in urinary frequency, maximum urinary flow rates, and average urinary flow rates were found in both groups (Durak et al., 2003). ...
Ethno-pharmacological relevance:
Phytotherapeutic approaches have been widely proposed to improve male health. Despite the well-touted effects of tribulus (Tribulus terrestris L) on men's health, an optimal phytotherapy remains an elusive challenge.
Aim of the review:
We sought to critically analyze the evidence in the phytotherapic literature beyond the effects of tribulus on testosterone (T) concentration and sperm analysis to also include indications for prostate health.
Materials and methods:
A focused literature search was conducted to include studies published in Cochrane, Pubmed, and Web of Science databases between the years 2002 and 2018.
Results:
The use of tribulus and maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp, Brassicaceae) were not scientifically supported to improve serum T levels in men. Moderate evidence supports the use of long Jack (Eurycoma longifolia Jack, Simaroubaceae), mucuna (Mucuna pruriens (L.) DC., Fabaceae), ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, Solanaceae), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graceum L., Fabaceae), and black seeds (Nigella sativa L., Ranunculaceae) to increase total T and improve seminal parameters. Data suggests an increase in total T with the use of 5000 mg/d of powdered mucuna seed and ashwagandha root (151 and 143 ng/dL, respectively) over a 12-week period in patients with oligozoospermia. The use of mucuna was supported for patients with oligozoospermia to improve sperm parameters, with an increase of 83.3 million/mL observed after use of 5000 mg/d of powdered mucuna seed over a 12-week period. Evidence supporting the use of saw palmetto (Serenoa repens, (W.Bartram) Small, Arecaceae) to improve prostate health remains equivocal; whereas, evidence supporting the use of Pygeum africanum Hook.f., Rosaceae, Urtica dioica L., Urticaceae, beta-sitosterols, pollen extract, onion, garlic, and tomato, appears favorable and promising.
Conclusion:
Scientific evidence supports the use of mucuna and ashwagandha as phytotherapics for improving serum T concentrations and semen parameters. Despite inconclusive evidence for use of tribulus as a T booster, it may provide advantageous effects on sperm parameters in men with idiopathic infertility. Nutraceutical strategies and some phytotherapics may also be effective to promote prostate health. Popular foodstuffs (onion, garlic, and tomato), nutraceutical agents (pollen extract and beta-sitosterols), and herbal medicines (Pygeum africanum and Urtica dioica) are rational approaches.
... Previous studies demonstrated that garlic or its components have antiproliferative effect on prostatic tissue [26,[45][46][47]. For example, Chung et al. [26] induced BPH in rats by daily TE propionate injections for four weeks after castration. ...
... Indeed, stromal BPH cell proliferation can be promoted by IL-6 and IL-8 by the fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation and also by indirect stimulation of basic fibroblast growth factor secretion. This can have a potent stimulating effect in prostatic growth [45]. In addition, TNF-α exerts a variety of important functions in inflammation, cell differentiation, cell proliferation and cell death [64]. ...
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common aging disease in men. Garlic is known to have anti-proliferative effects. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate the curative and preventive effects of garlic on BPH in rats. Rats were divided into five groups: control group, orchiectomized group (where rats were subjected to bilateral orchiectomies operation), BPH group [BPH was induced by intramuscular injection of testosterone (TE) enanthate once weekly for five weeks after orchiectomy], curative group (where rats were injected with TE for five weeks followed by daily administration of garlic powder for other five weeks), and preventive group (where rats were given garlic powder simultaneously with TE injections for five weeks). Serum levels of TE and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were measured, and prostate weighed and processed for light microscopic, immunohistochemical and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) examination. Serum levels of TE and PSA, and prostate weight (PW) were significantly increased in BPH group and significantly decreased in curative and preventive ones. Histologically and morphometrically, BPH group showed epithelial hyperplasia, stromal expansion and reduced acinar lumens that were significantly improved in both curative and preventive groups. Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) expression was increased while caspase-3 expression was decreased in BPH group. These results were reversed in both curative and preventive groups. TEM showed nuclear irregularities, dilated endoplasmic reticulum (ER) cisterns, and lost cell boundaries, secretory vesicles and apical microvilli. Most of the previous changes were minimized in preventive group more than in curative one.
... Iranian scholars believed that garlic oil "Dohnul-thom", obtained by boiling garlic in olive oil, could be effective in urine dribbling [3,4]. Moreover, the beneficial effects of garlic on BPH have been demonstrated in modern researches [5,6]. In ITM, medicinal oils have been traditionally used via topical, oral and even nasal routes to target particular areas of the body for relieving specific disorders [7]. ...
... In addition to traditional literature, several modern clinical reports have demonstrated topical effectiveness of the traditional medicinal oils for their antiinflammatory, analgesic and neuroprotective properties [7][8][9]. On the other hand, traditional Res J Pharmacogn 6(4): [3][4][5][6] formulations should be converted into new dosage forms for better patient acceptance and easier usage [10]. Considering the stability and durability of semi-solids as well as the convenience of using, in this study, a herbal ointment from garlic oil was formulated based on ITM and quality control of the product was carried out to present a qualified formulation for usage. ...
Background and objectives: Garlic (Allium sativum L.) oil has been introduced in Iranian traditional medicine (ITM) as an effective topical agent for urine dribbling. Additionally, the beneficial effects of garlic on prostatic proliferation have been revealed in recent studies. The purpose of this research was formulation of a topical ointment using garlic oil proposed by ITM and quality control of the product. Methods: Garlic oil was prepared according to ITM instructions and analysed using GC/MS method. In order to formulate garlic ointment, several experimental formulations were examined. Microbial tests as well as physical assessments including thermal stability evaluation and study of rheological behaviour were performed on the final product. Results: GC/MS analysis of garlic oil showed the presence of dialyl trisulfide, one of the major organo-sulfur components of garlic. The herbal ointment containing garlic oil (70%), white petrolatum (23.7%) and white beeswax (6%), showed suitable physical properties as well as plastic tixotropic behaviour and was free of any microbial contamination. Conclusion: Regarding the modern evidences about the beneficial effects of garlic and its sulphur compounds on improvement of BPH and prevention of prostate cancer, garlic ointment could be an appropriate candidate for studies in the field of prostate related diseases with respect to its traditional use in ITM.
... Iranian scholars believed that garlic oil "Dohnul-thom", obtained by boiling garlic in olive oil, could be effective in urine dribbling [3,4]. Moreover, the beneficial effects of garlic on BPH have been demonstrated in modern researches [5,6]. In ITM, medicinal oils have been traditionally used via topical, oral and even nasal routes to target particular areas of the body for relieving specific disorders [7]. ...
... In addition to traditional literature, several modern clinical reports have demonstrated topical effectiveness of the traditional medicinal oils for their antiinflammatory, analgesic and neuroprotective properties [7][8][9]. On the other hand, traditional Res J Pharmacogn 6(4): [3][4][5][6] formulations should be converted into new dosage forms for better patient acceptance and easier usage [10]. Considering the stability and durability of semi-solids as well as the convenience of using, in this study, a herbal ointment from garlic oil was formulated based on ITM and quality control of the product was carried out to present a qualified formulation for usage. ...
Background and objectives: Garlic (Allium sativum L.) oil has been introduced in Iranian traditional medicine (ITM) as an effective topical agent for urine dribbling. Additionally, the beneficial effects of garlic on prostatic proliferation have been revealed in recent studies. The purpose of this research was formulation of a topical ointment using garlic oil proposed by ITM and quality control of the product. Methods: Garlic oil was prepared according to ITM instructions and analysed using GC/MS method. In order to formulate garlic ointment, several experimental formulations were examined. Microbial tests as well as physical assessments including thermal stability evaluation and study of rheological behaviour were performed on the final product. Results: GC/MS analysis of garlic oil showed the presence of dialyl trisulfide, one of the major organo-sulfur components of garlic. The herbal ointment containing garlic oil (70%), white petrolatum (23.7%) and white beeswax (6%), showed suitable physical properties as well as plastic tixotropic behaviour and was free of any microbial contamination. Conclusion: Regarding the modern evidences about the beneficial effects of garlic and its sulphur compounds on improvement of BPH and prevention of prostate cancer, garlic ointment could be an appropriate candidate for studies in the field of prostate related diseases with respect to its traditional use in ITM.
... In a clinical study performed by our group previously, the effects of aqueous garlic extract supplementation on the dis-ease parameters in the patients with prostate diseases were investigated [12]. In that study, 27 volunteer patients with BPH and nine volunteer patients with prostate cancer were given aqueous garlic extract at a daily dose of 0.2 g raw garlic/kg body weight for one month. ...
... In this group, urinary frequency, maximum and average rates of urinary flow and international prostate symptom score values were also found to significantly improve after the experimental period. As a result of that study, it was suggested that garlic supplementation or its regular daily consumption might improve the disease parameters of the patients with BPH and prostate cancer [12]. ...
Prostate cancer is one of the most common male malignancies worldwide, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common cause of lower urinary tract symptoms in elderly men. Garlic (Allium sativum) has been known to have anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and antioxidant effects. Owing to these effects, garlic and its preparations have been used for the treatment of prostate cancer and relief of BPH symptoms for decades. It is thought that the mechanism(s) through which garlic may show anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory effects should be investigated further. Several researchers are attempting to demonstrate the useful properties of garlic and its mechanism(s) of action. This review aims to present the current studies related with the effects of garlic in prostate diseases, namely prostate cancer and BPH.
... Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is an ordinarily used food and flavoring agent and has been applied as a medicine for centuries. Recent reports have shown many benefits of raw garlic, including antibacterial activity (Adler et al., 2002;Lee et al., 2015), antioxidant activity (Gorinstein et al., 2006), anticancer activity (Durak et al., 2003;Saud et al., 2016), and an immunomodulatory effect (Li et al., 2017). In addition, garlic is composed of various compounds that are believed to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, cytotoxic, antibacterial effects, and have benefits for managing high blood glucose concentrations (Bayan et al., 2014). ...
This study assessed the quality and biological activity of Vietnamese single-bulb black garlic (SBG) by investigating the effect of different temperatures (60, 65, 70, and 75 °C) on physicochemical properties during the heat treatment process. The optimal treating conditions accounted for the highest concentration of antioxidants were 70 °C for 42 days. The SBG.70 had a higher content of reducing sugar, protein, flavonoid, and polyphenol in comparison with the white garlic and the others. Antioxidant activity of single-bulb white garlic and SBG were measured via DPPH, phosphomolybdenum, and H2O2 radicals, as well as a reduction potential. The antimicrobial activity was assessed by the multi-concentration dilution method; the sample treated at 70 °C displayed the strongest activity against four microbial strains with MIC values for S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, B. cereus, and C. albicans of 64, 128, 128, and 64 μg/mL, respectively. Additionally, only two SBG samples aged at 70 °C and 75 °C were bacteriostatic to E. coli with MIC values of 32 and 64 μg/mL, respectively.
... Garlic (Allium sativum) is widely used in many parts of the world as vegetables as well as folk and modern medicine. In recent years garlic has received considerable attention in research for its pharmacological potential, which include lipid-lowering effects, anticancer activity, antioxidant activity, anti atherosclerotic activity, antimicrobial activity [1,2,3]. The cardiovascular effects of garlic are among the best investigated of all medicinal plants species [4]. ...
Heat processing method of fruits and vegetables has been developed over the centuries to make the final product more attractive in flavour, appearance, taste and consistency. Besides consumer preferences, the selected heat processing methods for food preparation is an important factor affecting not only the nutritional composition, but also the intake of bioactive compounds under normal dietary conditions. In this study garlic was evaluated for their, physicochemical, and antioxidant potential. The antioxidant content was significantly affected on application of different processing methods and processing time. Roasted sample exhibited higher % DPPH and total phenolic content as compared to the other heat processing methods. One of the roasting methods, microwave processing retained maximum ascorbic acid content, percent acidity and pH value. Hence roasting and microwave treatment may be recommended over other heat processing methods for better retention of bioactive compounds.
... In fact, both IL-6 and IL-8 have been shown to promote proliferation of stromal BPH cells through trans differentiation of fibroblasts to myofibroblasts as well as motivation of basic fibroblast growth factor secretion indirectly that can stimulate prostatic growth effectively [59]. Furthermore, TNF-α plays a serious role in inflammation, cellular differentiation, proliferation and death [60]. ...
Background:
Men over the age of 40 are more likely to develop benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH is characterized by proliferation of the prostatic epithelium and stroma. Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs),is anessentialmetalloid mineralandantioxidant. In this study, SeNPs were tested for their potential protective and curative impacts on BPH in rats.
Materials and methods:
50 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: Group I (Control group); Group II (Orchiectomized group): bilateral orchiectomy was conducted on rats; Group III (BPH group): testosterone (TE) enanthate injection was used to induce BPH; Group IV (Protective group): rats were given SeNP before subjecting rats to BPH; Group V (Curative group): rats were succumbed to BPH, followed by administration of SeNP. Measurement of prostate specific antigen (PSA) and TE in serum was performed and prostates were weighed and prepared for histological, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural examination.
Results:
In the BPH group, serum TE- and PSA-levels, as well as prostate weight, increased significantly and significant decreases in the protective and curative groups. Reduced acinar lumen, expansion of stroma and epithelial hyperplasia were noticed in the BPH group, which were ameliorated significantly both in protective and curative groups. There was an increase in PCNA immunoreaction in the BPH group and a decrease in both the protective and curative groups. On TEM of BPH group, the nuclei appeared irregular with dilated endoplasmic reticulum, loss of cell boundaries and apical microvilli. The protective group showed more improvement than the curative group.
Conclusions:
The effects of SeNPs on BPH induced by TE in rats, were both protective and curative, although the protective effects were more pronounced.
... Interestingly, DAS reduced the protein expression of testosterone-triggered PSA. Similarly, the consumption of garlic extract in prostate cancer patients showed a significant reduction in PSA levels (Durak et al. 2003). , f), respectively, in TP (3 mg/kg, s.c)-induced BPH. ...
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a nonmalignant enlargement of the prostate common in older men. Diallyl sulfide (DAS), a major component of garlic, has been reported to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative effects. However, the underlying protective immunomodulatory mechanism of DAS on BPH remains vague. Herein, experimental BPH was induced in rats by daily subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate (TP) (3 mg/kg, s.c.) for 4 weeks. In parallel, finasteride (Fin) (5 mg/kg, p.o) or DAS (50 mg/kg, p.o.) was administered orally during BPH induction. TP-induced histological alterations and the immune-inflammatory cascade. On the other hand, DAS or Fin administration alleviated all abnormalities induced testosterone. Fin and DAS administration markedly reduced prostate weight by 53% with Fin, and by 60% with DAS. Moreover, serum testosterone and DHT were reduced by 55% and 52%, respectively, with Fin and by 68% and 75%, respectively, with DAS, in concordance with decreased protein expression of androgen receptor (AR), and prostate-specific antigen (PSA). Furthermore, both regime lessen immune-inflammatory milieu, as evidenced by decrease CD4+ T-cells protein expression and associated inflammatory cytokines. Concomitantly, Fin and DAS exhibited marked mitigation in insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1), and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2) signaling. Besides alleviating oxidative stress by 53% and 68% in prostatic MDA and by 27% and 7% in prostatic iNOS with Fin and DAS, respectively. In conclusion, this work highlighted a potential therapeutic approach of DAS as a dietary preventive agent against BPH via its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effect along with suppression of the ERK pathway.
... Garlic exhibits various pharmacological effects such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antitumor, and immunomodulatory activities. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] However, garlic consumption is still limited because of its strong flavor and odor. Moreover, fresh garlic causes some adverse effects including gastrointestinal disorder, hemolytic anemia and allergic reactions. ...
... 23 In a small clinical trial of 9 Turkish men with low-grade prostate cancer, aqueous garlic extract 1 mL/kg daily for 1 month was associated with a lowering of PSA, compared to baseline. 24 A very large number of studies have shown that garlic inhibits or destroys prostate cancer cells in vitro. ...
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a symptom and not a single disease with multiple possible causes, although atherosclerosis (and concomitant endothelial dysfunction), metabolic syndrome/diabetes mellitus, and psychosocial factors are the most common causes by far, other than the obvious population of men after pelvic surgeries (primarily prostatectomies) with iatrogenic ED. Herbal strategies to treat and prevent these major underlying problems, and thus alleviate the symptoms of ED, are reviewed. Antiatherosclerotic herbs, such as Allium sativum (garlic), Punica granatum (pomegranate), and Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo), are discussed for arteriogenic ED. Endothelial function-improving herbs, such as Epimedium spp. (horny goat weed) and Butea superba (red kwao krua), are discussed next for this same problem. The adaptogens with the most male-reproductive affinity, Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng) and Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) are then reviewed. Aphrodisiac herbs, principally effective for psychogenic ED are reviewed, including Pausinystalia yohimbe (yohimbe), Turnera diffusa (damiana), Crocus sativus (saffron), and Lepidium meyenii (maca).
... [13][14][15][16][17] Various studies indicating garlic as a dietary anti-carcinogen have been carried out with aged garlic extract, aqueous garlic extract, and dehydrated garlic powder. 14,[18][19][20] Garlic contains a mixture of organosulfur compounds (OSC) that are oil or water-soluble and are known to suppress tumor growth in vitro and in vivo. 6 Garlic also contains alliin which is converted to allicin, which is then transformed into polysulfides such as diallyl disulfide (DADS), diallyl sulfide (DAS), diallyl trisulfide (DATS) and diallyl tetrasulfide. ...
Garlic and its lipid-based extracts have played an important medicinal role in humans for centuries that includes antimicrobial, hypoglycemic, and lipid-lowering properties. The present study was to investigate the effects of crude garlic extract (CGE) on the proliferation of human breast, prostate, hepatic, and colon cancer cell lines and mouse macrophageal cells, not previously studied. The human cancer cell lines, such as hepatic (Hep-G2), colon (Caco-2), prostate (PC-3), and breast (MCF-7), were propagated at 37°C; air/CO2 (95:5 v/v) using the ATCC-formulated RPMI-1640 Medium and 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS), while the mouse macrophage cell line (TIB-71) was propagated at 37°C; air/CO2 (95:5 v/v) using the ATCC-formulated DMEM and 10% FBS. All cells were plated at a density of ∼5000 cells/well. After overnight incubation, the cells were treated with 0.125, 0.25, 0.5, or 1 μg/mL of CGE an additional 72 h. Inhibition of cell proliferation of 80-90% was observed for Hep-G2, MCF-7, TIB-71, and PC-3 cells, but only 40-55% for the Caco-2 cells when treated with 0.25, 0.5, or 1 μg/mL. In a coculture study of Caco-2 and TIB-71 cells, inhibition of cell proliferation of 90% was observed for Caco-2 cells compared to the 40-55% when cultured separately. CGE also induced cell cycle arrest and had a fourfold increase in caspase activity (apoptosis) in PC-3 cells when treated at a dose of 0.5 or 1 μg/mL. This investigation of CGE clearly highlights the fact that the lipid bioactive compounds in CGE have the potential as promising anticancer agents.
... A case-control study has shown a reduced risk of PCa among men who consumed garlic at least twice a week when compared to never consumers (Key et al., 1997). Another population-based study also reported similar observations (Hsing et al., 2002), while consumption of aqueous garlic extract lowered both total and free prostatespecific antigen among patients in a clinical trial (Yilmaz et al., 2003). Although garlic is a popular herb in Vietnam, no epidemiological study has been undertaken to ascertain its effect on the PCa risk. ...
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide and a leading cause of mortality. Incidences continues to rise and vary substantially between populations. Although the prevalence of prostate cancer is relatively low in Vietnam, some hospital-based reports have shown an upward trend in recent years. While certain non-modifiable factors such as age, race and genetics are known to be mainly responsible, the literature has also suggested that environmental exposures can delay the onset of this disease. The present study provides a review of the epidemiology of prostate cancer in Vietnam by systematically searching several electronic databases. The results confirm an increasing trend of prostate cancer over the past decade, with age-standardised rate more than doubled from 2.2 per 100,000 men in 2000 to 4.7 per 100,000 men in 2010. However, no study has been found on modifiable risk factors, with the exception of one in vitro experiment that showed the inhibitory effect of garlic on the growth of prostate cancer cells. The lack of epidemiological information poses a difficulty to develop public health interventions to prevent this emerging malignant disease in Vietnam.
... In a human body, garlic acts as anticarcinogenic agents and effective against colon, stomach, prostate and various other cancers mainly of sulphur and selenium contents (Sigounas et al., 1997;Dong et al., 2001;Durak et al., 2003;Li et al., 2004). Similarly, it has also anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic activity (Srivastava and Tyagi, 1993) and effective against atherosclerosis, aging and various cancer (Cavalieri and Rogan, 1992;Salvemini and Botting, 1993). ...
Allium species are considered to be one of the world’s oldest cultivated vegetables. Most commonly used species of garlic in Pakistan and India is Allium sativum, while Allium tuberosum is mainly consumed and cultivated in China, Southeast Asia, and North-east part of India. The present study was conducted to compare the antimicrobial activity, nutritional value and antioxidant profile of Allium sativum and Allium tuberosum. The outcome indicates that Allium tuberosum have slightly higher antimicrobial activity, higher mineral profile, and enriched in antioxidants in comparison with Allium sativum. The highest antimicrobial activity of Allium tuberosum was noticed against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis with 43.9 mm and 40.7 mm zone of inhibition using 100% extract. Allium tuberosum contains high contents of calcium (28.66±2.00 mg/100g), potassium (10.62±0.50) and zinc (59.00±1.00). Allium tuberosum also showed higher antioxidant activity (0.24±0.03 mg vitamin C equivalent (VCE)/g fresh weight in FRAP assay, 0.18±0.02 mg VCE/g fresh weight in DPPH assay and 1.09±0.12 mg VCE/g fresh weight in ABTS assay) in comparison with Allium sativum.
... 31,32 Aqueous extracts of garlic are reported to cause significant improvement in prostate cancer patients. 33 Some researchers have stated that garlic's potential anticancer effects may be due to its content of the trace mineral selenium. 34 Anti-inflammatory. ...
Garlic is one of the world's oldest medicines that has been employed not only for flavouring but also as a medical herb for its prophylactic and therapeutic actions. Most garlics' beneficial effects are due to the presence of the organosulphate molecule allicin. Allicin is a highly unstable molecule and, during processing, is rapidly transformed into a variety of organosulfur components. The enzyme alliinase, which is responsible for the conversion of alliin to allicin, is irreversibly destroyed at the acidic environment of stomach. This is the reason why most garlic supplements contain garlic powder or granules, but do not contain allicin itself. Garlic alliinase could be encapsulated and coated with materials which would protect it in the harsh conditions of the stomach. The objective of this chapter is to summarize the most important garlic health benefits and to discuss promising encapsulation/stabilization approaches.
... These herbal products are considered nutraceuticals because of their antimicrobial, anticancer, and other health-promoting activities (1-3, 6, 25). For example, garlic is a popular food additive and dietary supplement and has been used to combat microbial infection, multiple antibiotic-resistant pathogens (16,24), inflammation, and cancer (11,15). ...
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in various herbal products. Twenty-nine herbal supplements (18 traditional and 11 organic products) were purchased from stores and analyzed microbiologically. Total bacterial counts were determined by pour plate and surface spreading on tryptic soy agar (TSA). Antibiotic-resistant bacteria were enumerated on TSA supplemented with ceftriaxone (64 microg/ml) or tetracycline (16 microg/ml). Total bacterial counts ranged from <5 to 2.9 x 10(5) CFU/g. Ceftriaxone- and tetracycline-resistant bacteria were detected in ground garlic samples at 1.1 x 10(2) CFU/g and 3.0 x 102 CFU/g, respectively. Traditional and organic onion powder samples contained tetracycline-resistant bacteria at 17 and 28 CFU/g and ceftriaxone-resistant bacteria at 35 and 2.0 x 10(3) CFU/g, respectively. Other products such as ginger, rosemary, mustard, and goldenseal contained low levels of resistant bacteria. Fifty-two isolates were further evaluated against nine antibiotics, and the prevalence of antibiotic resistance was in the following order: ampicillin, nalidixic acid, trimethoprim, ceftriaxone, and streptomycin. Resistant bacteria were identified as Bacillus spp., Erwinia spp., and Ewingella americana. Staphylococcus spp., Enterobacter cloacae, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia also were isolated. The presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and pathogens in these herbal products suggests that production and use of these products may need further evaluation.
... As phytochemicals, they show antioxidant properties [24], inhibit cancer progression [25] and protect liver from toxins [26]. In a very recent study, patients with a benign prostate hyperplasia, regularly consuming aqueous garlic extract, showed a significant improvement in disease parameters [27]. ...
Garlic extracts, either aqueous or oily, are commonly employed to prepare garlic derivative supplements used as nutraceuticals for the treatment of different pathologies. In this study, we investigated the effects of water garlic extracts from two different areas of Italy well known for garlic production, Latina (GEL) and Sulmona (GES), on cell cycle and death of HepG2 hepatoma cells. The effects of the treatments with GEL and GES were also compared with the oil-soluble sulfur compound of garlic, diallyl disulfide (DADS). GEL and GES induced a p53/p21-dependent cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase and apoptosis, although to a different extent, whereas DADS, under the experimental conditions used, was not detrimental to HepG2 cells. GEL and GES committed HepG2 cells to apoptosis by the activation of c-Jun-NH(2) terminal kinase (JNK)/c-Jun phosphorylative cascade without a detectable increase in the flux of reactive oxygen species. Moreover, differentiation of HepG2 cells induced by retinoic acid determined resistance to GEL and GES treatments without the activation of JNK signaling pathway. Overall, the results obtained indicate that water-soluble garlic extracts are more inhibitory of the growth of transformed hepatoma cells than the oil-soluble isolated compound DADS, and that their antiproliferative properties are different depending on the area of origin of the starting material.
... 15,16 Moreover, a recent study showed significant improvement in disease parameters in patients with BPH who regularly consumed aqueous garlic extracts. 17 Onion and garlic also contain vitamins and enzymes and are rich in phytochemicals with antioxidant properties. However, there are important varietal differences in composition, concentration, and activities of these bioactive compounds, also caused by modalities of cooking. ...
To analyze the relationship between onion and garlic intake and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), using data from a multicenter case-control study conducted in Italy.
A multicenter case-control study of 1369 patients with BPH and 1451 controls, admitted to the same hospitals for a wide spectrum of acute, non-neoplastic conditions, was conducted in Italy between 1991 and 2002. Information was collected by trained interviewers using a validated and reproducible food frequency questionnaire. Multivariate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained after allowance for recognized confounding factors and energy intake.
Compared with nonusers, the multivariate ORs for the highest category of onion and garlic intake were 0.41 (95% CI 0.24 to 0.72) and 0.72 (95% CI 0.57 to 0.91), respectively. The combined OR for frequent users versus nonusers of both onion and garlic was 0.65 (95% CI 0.49 to 0.86). The inverse relationships were consistent across age strata.
This uniquely large data set from European populations showed an inverse association between allium vegetable consumption and BPH.
Cancer is a pervasive, constantly evolving, and significant public health concern. The number of new cancer cases has risen dramatically in the last decades, making it one of the top causes of poor health and mortality worldwide. Although various treatment strategies, including surgery, radiation, and pharmaceutical therapies, have evolved into more sophisticated, precise methods, there is not much improvement in the cancer-related death toll. Consequently, natural product-based therapeutic discoveries have recently been considered an alternative approach. According to an estimate, one-third of the top twenty medications in today's market have a natural plant-product-based origin. Accordingly, primary prevention is an essential component of worldwide cancer control. This review provides an overview of the mechanisms of action of bioactive ingredients in natural dietary products that may contribute to the prevention and management of multiple malignancies.
Das benigne Prostatasyndrom (BPS) ist nicht nur in Deutschland, sondern auch in allen anderen westlichen Industrienationen die häufigste urologische Krankheit und die vierthäufigste sowie fünftteuerste Erkrankung bei Männern ≥50 Jahren. Basierend auf der Demografie und Prävalenzdaten des BPS in Deutschland sind hierzulande insgesamt etwa 2,5 Mio. Männer betroffen. Bei durchschnittlichen Kosten zur Diagnostik und Therapie von Männern mit BPS von ca. € 900 pro Patient und Jahr ist für das deutsche Gesundheitssystem ein jährlicher finanzieller Gesamtaufwand von ca. € 2,2 Mrd. für die Diagnostik und Therapie notwendig. Somit wären Gesundheitsprogramme zur Prävention des BPS sinnvoll.
Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is widely used in the human diet and in scientific research due to its biological properties. Various factors, e.g., temperature, pressure, extraction method, type of solvent, size, and territorial origin of garlic, affect the amount and type of bioactive compounds obtained from garlic extracts. In turn, the content of bioactive compounds correlates with the biological activity of the extracts. Therefore, the aim of this review was to summarize the current state of knowledge of the methods and effectiveness of isolation of active substances from garlic and their impact on the garlic extract composition and, consequently, biological properties. According to the literature, extracts obtained using water as a solvent are mainly responsible for antimicrobial properties, which is related to, inter alia, the high content of allicin. The use of alcohols, such as methanol or ethanol, is associated with the outstanding antioxidant power of extracts resulting from the presence of phenolic compounds. In turn, due to the presence of diallyl disulfide and disulfide trisulfide, garlic oil has anticancer potential. Acetone is the most effective organic solvent; however, it is not suitable for immediate consumption.
Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is one of the oldest plants cultivated for its dietary and medicinal values. This incredible plant is endowed with various pharmacological attributes, such as antimicrobial, antiarthritic, antithrombotic, antitumor, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic activities. Among the various beneficial pharmacological effects of garlic, the anticancer activity is presumably the most studied. The consumption of garlic provides strong protection against cancer risk. Taking into account the multi-targeted actions and absence of considerable toxicity, a few active metabolites of garlic are probably to play crucial roles in the killing of cancerous cells. Garlic contains several bioactive molecules with anticancer actions and these include diallyl trisulfide, allicin, diallyl disulfide, diallyl sulfide, and allyl mercaptan. The effects of various garlic-derived products, their phytoconstituents and nanoformulations have been evaluated against skin, prostate, ovarian, breast, gastric, colorectal, oral, liver, and pancreatic cancers. Garlic extract, its phytocompounds and their nanoformulations have been shown to inhibit the different stages of cancer, including initiation, promotion, and progression. Besides, these bioactive metabolites alter the peroxidation of lipid, activity of nitric oxide synthetase, nuclear factor-κB, epidermal growth factor receptor, and protein kinase C, cell cycle, and survival signaling. The current comprehensive review portrays the functions of garlic, its bioactive constituents and nanoformulations against several types of cancers and explores the possibility of developing these agents as anticancer pharmaceuticals.
Natural resources such as plants are an upright curing option in treating cancers and reducing the side effects of current therapeutic modalities. Allium genus vegetables are of the most interesting herbs in restricting cancers that includes garlic, onions, leeks, chives, and shallots. These plants have been exploited in folk medicine because of their beneficial health effects in improving numerous diseases. The phytochemical analysis of various Allium genus members showed that, to date, 16 species have proved potential anticancer properties due to the accumulation of various sulfur and organic compounds like S‐allyl mercaptocysteine, quercetin, flavonoids, and ajoene. These compounds with various mechanisms such as hindering cell cycle, inhibiting signaling pathways, inducing apoptosis, and antioxidant activity interfere with diverse stages of formation, growth, differentiation, and metastasis of cancer cells. Similar to garlic and onion, other species have exhibited anticancer activities, so that active natural molecules extracted from them might serve as possible anticancer agents. Therefore, evaluating the main ingredients and studying their anticancer mechanisms are of great importance. In this review, we aim to summarize the available data on anticancer mechanisms of 16 species of Allium genus and their major compounds to assist further researches on the treatment and prevention of cancers.
Background:
and aims: Benign Prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an important public health problem. Roughly half of all men will suffer from BPH related symptoms later in life. The prostate gland, a hormone dependent part of the male reproductive system, is susceptible to internal and external disruptions of regulatory systems. We attempt in this paper to collect available evidence on influence of lifestyle modifications, and naturally occurring substances, plants, micronutrients and supplements on BPH symptoms.
Methods:
Systematic review was performed within the MEDLINE database and Cochrane Library Central Search using a combination of Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) and keywords.
Results:
Moderate exercise and the type and amount of protein intake have a considerable influence on BPH symptoms. The intake of zinc and vitamin D also positively influence BPH symptoms, and so do certain supplements, such as saw palmetto, cemilton and pygeum extracts.
Conclusions:
Lifestyle changes, diet modification and certain nutritional supplements can favorably influence BPH symptoms.
Garlic (Allium sativum) possesses antimicrobial, antiprotozoal, antimutagenic, antiplatelet and antihyperlipidemic properties. Garlic is a source of various biologically active phytomolecules, including organosulfur compounds, phenolic acids, allyl thiosulfinates, flavonoids, and vitamins. The economically important Allium spp (onion and garlic) are used worldwide as spices, vegetables, and medicinal plants. Alliums also play a very essential role in the daily diet in many countries to flavor foods. The they may differ in form and taste, but they are close in biochemical and phytochemical contents. They are characterized by their rich content in sulfur compounds that are responsible for the organoleptic parameters.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a urologic disease that affects most of men over the age 50. But until now there is no such perfect cure without side effects. Because of diverse adverse effects, it is desirable to develop effective and long term-safety-herbal medicines to inhibit the progress of BPH. In spite of garlic's large use and a wide spectrum of studies, including anti-hyperlipidemic, cardio-protective, and anti-inflammatory activities, there was none to prove efficacy for BPH. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of garlic to prove its suppressing effects on BPH. Garlic administration decreased relative prostate weight ratio, suppressed mRNA expression level of AR, DHT serum levels, and the growth of prostatic tissue in BPH-induced rats. Moreover, garlic administration decreased the levels of inflammatory proteins, iNOS, and COX-2 in prostatic tissue. Further investigation showed that garlic induced accumulation of death-inducing signal complex and activation of AMPK and decreased the levels of anti-apoptotic proteins, such as Bcl-2, Bcl-xL, and survivin. These results suggest that garlic may have suppressing effects on BPH and it has great potential to be developed as treatment for BPH. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The use of herbs to prevent (primarily) and treat some major men's health concerns are reviewed. For benign prostatic hyperplasia, the roles of Serenoa repens (saw palmetto), Prunus africanum (pygeum), Urtica dioica (nettle) root, and Ammi visnaga (khella) are discussed. For prostate cancer, Punica granatum (pomegranate), Allium sativum (garlic), and Glycine max (soy) and other legumes—including their isoflavones—are reviewed. For two conditions related to obesity and metabolic syndrome, erectile dysfunction and secondary hypogonadism, the roles of pomegranate, Epimedium spp. (horny goat weed), Panax ginseng (Asian ginseng), Crocus sativa (saffron), and phytoestrogens are discussed.
This study aimed to investigate the effects of temperature on the black garlic manufacturing process. The moisture content, pH, browning intensity, S-allyl cysteine (SAC) content and antioxidant activity, including DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power, were determined. The moisture content of garlic gradually decreased throughout the heating process. The rate of moisture removal was higher at high temperatures compared with low temperatures. The pH also decreased more significantly in garlic heated at high temperatures. The browning intensity increased with increasing temperature. The SAC contents of black garlic were significantly different according to heating temperature; the garlic samples heated at a low temperature had a higher SAC contents. Antioxidant activity, as determined by the DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power, increased when the garlic was exposed to higher temperatures.
In this paper, we reviewed plants being effective in treatment of BPH for the purpose of finding new sources of pharmaceutical agents.
All pertinent literature databases were searched. The search keywords were plant, herb, herbal therapy, phytotherapy, benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH, and prostate. All of the human, animal and in vitro studies were evaluated.
According to the studies, some of the substantial effective constituents of the plants in treatment of BPH are oenothein B, icaritin, xanthohumol, diarylheptanoid, 2,6,4'-trihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, emodin, fatty acids, atraric acid, n-butylbenzene-sulfonamide, curbicin, theaflavin-3,30-digallate, penta-O-galloyl-b-D-glucose, lycopene, sinalbin, β-sitosterol, secoisolariciresinol diglucoside, genistein, apigenin, baicalein, and daidzein. Besides, Serenoa repens, Pygeum africanum, Curcubita pepo, and Urtica dioica as the most prevalent plants used to treat BPH. S. repens in human studies showed equivalent effectiveness to tamsulosin and in combination to U. dioica revealed equal effects to finastride with less side effects.
There are numerous plants that have beneficial influence on BPH although the mechanisms of action in some plants are not well understood yet. Active ingredients of some of these plants are known and can be used as lead components for development of new effective and safe drugs.
Histological benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and the BPH disease are frequent, lead to a reduction of quality of life, are both progressive and potentially associated with complications in the lower and upper urinary tract. A PubMed/MEDLINE search was conducted for the years 1990 to 2011. This article summarizes known selective measures of primary and secondary disease prevention.
Measures of primary disease prevention aim to inhibit histological BPH and the development of clinically relevant BPH. Weight loss, regular physical activity, vegetable consumption, alcohol intake, 5α-reductase inhibitors, avoidance of overweight and reduction of fatty food can reduce the probability of histological and clinical BPH. Selective measures of secondary prevention aim to inhibit disease progression and BPH-associated complications. The regular and long-term use of α1-blockers reduces lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and inhibits symptomatic disease progression but cannot prevent BPH-associated complications (e.g. urinary retention or need for prostate surgery). 5α-Reductase inhibitors can reduce the probability of symptomatic disease progression, urinary retention or need for surgery but the combination of α1-blocker and 5α-reductase inhibitor is more efficacious than either monotherapy. Especially older men with enlarged prostates (>40 cm3) and elevated serum PSA concentration (>1.6 µg/l) profit from measures of secondary disease prevention.
For primary disease prevention, data quality is low and early treatment with 5α-reductase inhibitors is not been approved. For secondary disease prevention, men with risk factors of disease progression should use a treatment containing 5α-reductase inhibitors. Despite several epidemiological and clinical investigations on BPH disease progression no official programme exists in Germany for disease prevention.
1. In vitro and epidemiological studies have demonstrated a potential link between chronic inflammation and cancer. Herbs and spices intake, especially in therapeutic dosages, may help decrease inflammation.
2. Important mechanisms in cancer prevention include attenuation of free radical formation, removal of radicals before damage occurs, repair of oxidative damage, elimination of damaged molecules, and the prevention of mutations. Many culinary herbs and spices, for example, rosemary, oregano, cinnamon, basil, cloves, are inherently high in antioxidant activity measured in vitro.
3. Several spices, or their active ingredients, have been evaluated for their anticancer potential using intact animal models. Spices and herbs have been shown to prevent or delay carcinogenesis in multiple organ sites.
4. Some spices and herbs have been shown to inhibit carcinogenesis by altering detoxifying enzymes. Mechanistic studies have found that garlic can prevent tumor initiation and promotion by altering the ratios of phase I and phase II liver enzymes.
5. There are emerging data in several areas to suggest that a variety of culinary herbs and spices reduce the risk of cancer. However, there is very little evidence from human studies in this area. In addition, human data on dose–response and biochemical mechanism are largely unavailable. Better designed epidemiological and intervention studies are clearly needed in this area.
Application of enzymes to garlic prior to steam distillation/hydrodistillation resulted in a two fold increase in the yield of oil. The oil yield in case of cellulase, pectinase, protease and viscozyme pretreatment was in the range of 0.39–0.51%, as against 0.28% in a control sample by steam distillation, and in the range of 0.45–0.57% by hydrodistillation as against 0.31% in a control sample. Profiling of the garlic oil thus obtained was carried out by GC–MS. Di-2-propenyl trisulfide (52%) along with the corresponding di- and tetra-sulphides (11% and 5%) constituted the major portion of the oil. The other major flavour compounds identified were methyl 2-propenyl trisulfide (11.8%), vinyl dithiins (9.9%) and dithianes (4.1%). The studies demonstrate that enzymes facilitate the extraction of garlic oil, resulting in an increase in the yield of oil, with little change either in flavour profile or physicochemical properties of the oil.
Saw palmetto is widely used to treat lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Although there is passionate support for herbal and complementary therapies for LUTS, clinical evidence is mixed. Because there is a well-recognized, profound placebo effect in tests of efficacy for agents treating LUTS, it is imperative that all therapies be tested in placebo-controlled trials. This article reviews evidence of the efficacy and safety of saw palmetto for men with LUTS caused by BPH, with particular emphasis on published randomized clinical trials and the upcoming Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Urologic Symptoms (CAMUS) trial.
We review the effect of diet and dietary supplement interventions on prostate cancer progression, recurrence and survival.
A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL to identify diet and dietary supplement intervention studies in men with prostate cancer using prostate specific antigen or prostate specific antigen doubling time as a surrogate serum biomarker of prostate cancer recurrence and/or survival.
Of the 32 studies identified 9 (28%) were randomized controlled trials and the focus of this review. In these studies men had confirmed prostate cancer and elevated or increasing prostate specific antigen. Only 1 trial included men with metastatic disease. When body mass index was reported, men were overweight or obese. A significant decrease in prostate specific antigen was observed in some studies using a low fat vegan diet, soy beverage or lycopene supplement. While not often reported as an end point, a significant increase in prostate specific antigen doubling time was observed in a study on lycopene supplementation. In only 1 randomized controlled trial in men undergoing orchiectomy was a survival end point of fewer deaths with lycopene supplementation reported.
A limited number of randomized controlled trials were identified in which diet and dietary supplement interventions appeared to slow disease progression in men with prostate cancer, although results vary. Studies were limited by reliance on the surrogate biomarker prostate specific antigen, sample size and study duration. Well designed trials are warranted to expand knowledge, replicate findings and further assess the impact of diet and dietary supplement interventions on recurrence and treatment associated morbidities.
It is currently estimated that > 50% of all patients diagnosed with cancer explore complementary and alternative medicine - especially herbal medicine. We conducted a comprehensive review to assess the safety and efficacy of herbal medicines commonly used by patients in an attempt to: prevent cancer; treat cancer; and treat adverse effects associated with conventional cancer treatments. Current evidence suggests that Asian ginseng, garlic, green tea, tomatoes and soy intake as part of the diet may be useful in preventing various cancers; additional research is needed in order to determine the efficacy of essiac, evening primrose oil, mistletoe, reishi, shiitake and turmeric as cancer treatments; and ginger may be effective in treating chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
BACKGROUND
This study determined the effects of S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC), a phytoconstituent from garlic, on the expression of androgen-responsive biomarkers, prostate specific antigen (PSA), and prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), in human prostatic carcinoma cells (LNCaP).METHODS
Secretion of PSA was determined as well as the activity of PSMA measured as a function of its ability to hydrolyze poly--glutamated folate and N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG). Folate hydrolase capacity was also determined in SAMC-treated cells grown in charcoal stripped fetal calf serum (CS-FCS). In addition, testosterone disappearance was measured from culture media of SAMC-treated LNCaP and PC-3 cells as well as from cell free lysates.RESULTSPSA secretions were significantly decreased compared to control values at 1 day (8.4 ± 2.6 vs. 18.9 ± 1.7, P < 0.01), 4 days (18.9 ± 5.3 vs. 73.8 ± 4.4, P < 0.001), and 6 days (35.6 ± 2.1 vs. 96.5 ± 17.9 ng/105 cells, P < 0.01; mean ± SD). By contrast, PSMA activity measured as either folate hydrolase or NAAG dipeptidase (NAALADase) activity increased in cells treated with SAMC. PSMA-folate hydrolase activity in SAMC-treated cells grown in CS-FCS increased beyond that observed in cells grown in CS-FCS alone. Pre-exposure of LNCaP cells to SAMC resulted in enhanced rate of testosterone disappearance from culture media at 6 hr (P < 0.01) and at 48 hr (P < 0.001) compared to media from cells not previously exposed to SAMC. Results similar to these were also observed in androgen-independent PC-3 cells treated with SAMC. In lysates of SAMC-treated LNCaP cells, the rate of testosterone catabolism was twice that from phosphate buffered saline (PBS)-treated cells. SAMC-treated LNCaP cells grown in media supplemented with testosterone temporarily exhibited enhanced growth over a 2 day period but cell numbers declined later to levels similar to those of SAMC treatment.CONCLUSIONS
These results show that SAMC exhibits differential effects on recognized biomarkers for LNCaP cells similar to those produced by androgen deprivation and strongly suggests that this effect may be mediated, in part, by diminishing the trophic effects of testosterone, likely by converting it to metabolites less reactive toward androgen receptors. Prostate 45:304–314, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
This study investigated whether naturally occurring garlic derivatives and synthetic S-cysteinyl compounds that resemble garlic constituents have antiproliferative effects on human prostate carcinoma (LNCaP) cells. Studies also examined whether S-allylmercaptocysteine and S-allylcysteine affect two important molecular targets, namely reduced glutathione and polyamines. Results showed that S-allylmercaptocysteine (50 mg/L) diminished LNCaP cell growth whereas the antiproliferative effect of S-allylcysteine was not as pronounced. Studies using synthetic S-cysteinyl analogues revealed that growth inhibition was most effective with compounds containing a disulfide or an active diallyl moiety. Marginal to no inhibitory effect was observed with monosulfinic analogues. Both S-allylmercaptocysteine and S-allylcysteine caused an increase in LNCaP cell reduced glutathione concentrations. Putrescine and spermine concentrations decreased and spermidine increased 3 d after S-allylmercaptocysteine treatment. At 5 d after S-allylmercaptocysteine treatment, polyamine concentrations were similar to those of saline-treated controls. Diminished cell growth and altered polyamine concentrations suggest that S-allylmercaptocysteine may impede the polyamine synthesizing enzyme, ornithine decarboxylase, either by enhancing the formation of reduced glutathione, a known inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase, or by reacting directly with ornithine decarboxylase at its nucleophilic thiol moiety. Because S-allylcysteine also increases reduced glutathione formation but does not significantly inhibit growth, the latter mechanism may be more likely for this compound. These data provide further evidence that nonessential nutrients derived from garlic may modulate tumor growth. Further research is required on effects of garlic derivatives in vivo before information from the present studies can be used to assist in the development of effective nutritional strategies for preventing progression of prostate cancer.
We interviewed 328 men diagnosed with prostate cancer before the age of 75 years and 328 age-matched population controls. The principal hypotheses were that risk would increase with a high intake of total or saturated fat and would decrease with a high intake of carotene (beta-carotene equivalents) or lycopene. We also examined the associations of other nutrients and foods with risk. There was no evidence for an association between fat intake and risk, although the average fat intake was high and the range of fat intakes was narrow (medians of lower and upper thirds of percentage of energy from fat among controls were 34.3% and 42.9% respectively). Risk was lower in subjects with higher carotene intake: odds ratios 0.65 (95% CI 0.45-0.94) and 0.76 (0.53-1.10) in the middle and upper thirds of carotene intake respectively (P for trend = 0.150). Lycopene was not associated with risk. Among 13 other nutrients examined, the odds ratios in the top third of intake were below 0.8 for: potassium, 0.74 (0.51-1.09; P for trend = 0.054); zinc, 0.73 (0.49-1.08; P for trend = 0.126); iodine, 0.75 (0.51-1.11; P for trend = 0.077); vitamin B6 food only, 0.77 (0.53-1.12; P for trend = 0.077); and vitamin B6 including supplements, 0.70 (0.48-1.03; P for trend = 0.029). Among 18 foods examined, statistically significant associations were observed for: garlic as food, > or = 2/week vs never, 0.56 (0.33-0.93); garlic including supplements, > or = 2/week vs never, 0.60 (0.37-0.96); baked beans, > or = 2/week vs < 1/month, 0.57 (0.34-0.95); and garden peas, > or = 5/week vs < or = 3/month, 0.35 (0.13-0.91). This study does not support the hypothesis that fat increases risk and is equivocal in relation to carotene. The possible relationships of vitamin B6, garlic, beans and peas with risk for prostate cancer should be further investigated.
This study determined the effects of S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC), a phytoconstituent from garlic, on the expression of androgen-responsive biomarkers, prostate specific antigen (PSA), and prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), in human prostatic carcinoma cells (LNCaP).
Secretion of PSA was determined as well as the activity of PSMA measured as a function of its ability to hydrolyze poly-gamma-glutamated folate and N-acetylaspartylglutamate (NAAG). Folate hydrolase capacity was also determined in SAMC-treated cells grown in charcoal stripped fetal calf serum (CS-FCS). In addition, testosterone disappearance was measured from culture media of SAMC-treated LNCaP and PC-3 cells as well as from cell free lysates.
PSA secretions were significantly decreased compared to control values at 1 day (8.4 +/- 2.6 vs. 18.9 +/- 1.7, P < 0.01), 4 days (18.9 +/- 5.3 vs. 73.8 +/- 4. 4, P < 0.001), and 6 days (35.6 +/- 2.1 vs. 96.5 +/- 17.9 ng/10(5) cells, P < 0.01; mean +/- SD). By contrast, PSMA activity measured as either folate hydrolase or NAAG dipeptidase (NAALADase) activity increased in cells treated with SAMC. PSMA-folate hydrolase activity in SAMC-treated cells grown in CS-FCS increased beyond that observed in cells grown in CS-FCS alone. Pre-exposure of LNCaP cells to SAMC resulted in enhanced rate of testosterone disappearance from culture media at 6 hr (P < 0.01) and at 48 hr (P < 0.001) compared to media from cells not previously exposed to SAMC. Results similar to these were also observed in androgen-independent PC-3 cells treated with SAMC. In lysates of SAMC-treated LNCaP cells, the rate of testosterone catabolism was twice that from phosphate buffered saline (PBS)-treated cells. SAMC-treated LNCaP cells grown in media supplemented with testosterone temporarily exhibited enhanced growth over a 2 day period but cell numbers declined later to levels similar to those of SAMC treatment.
These results show that SAMC exhibits differential effects on recognized biomarkers for LNCaP cells similar to those produced by androgen deprivation and strongly suggests that this effect may be mediated, in part, by diminishing the trophic effects of testosterone, likely by converting it to metabolites less reactive toward androgen receptors.
There is increasing evidence that allium derivatives from garlic have significant antiproliferative actions on human cancers. Both hormone-responsive and hormone-unresponsive cells lines respond to these derivatives. The effects shown by allium derivatives include induction of apoptosis, regulation of cell cycle progression and modification of pathways of signal transduction. Allium derivatives appear to regulate nuclear factors involved in immune function and inflammation, as well as in cellular proliferation. Our own studies indicate that allium derivatives inhibit proliferation of the human prostate cancer cell line (LNCaP) and the human breast cancer cell line (MCF-7). Further research is required to clarify the mechanisms of inhibition of cellular proliferation by allium derivatives and to explore their potential application to cancer prevention and control.
Thioallyl components of garlic are important dietary factors shown to have anticancer activity. In this study, the effects of S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC) on secretion and activity of prostatic specific antigen (PSA) and prostate specific membrane (PSM) antigen were investigated in androgen-responsive human prostatic carcinoma cells (LNCaP). PSM is a folate hydrolase (exopeptidase); we found that it hydrolyzes progressively γ-glutamyl linkages from methotrexate (MTX) tri-γ-glutamate with accumulation of MTX. PSA levels in culture media were markedly reduced after treatment with SAMC (0.26 uM) compared to controls at day-1 (8.4 ± 2.6 vs 18.9 ± 1.7, p < 0.01), day-4 (18.9 ± 5.3 vs 73.8 ± 4.4, p <0.001) and day-6 (35.6 ± 2.1 vs 96.5 ± 17.9 ng/105 cells, p <0.01; mean ± S.E.). By contrast, PSM activity measured as nmoles glutamate hydrolyzed in isolated membranes increased 3-, 5- and 7-fold with SAMC over averaged control values (55 ± 38 nmol glu·h-1· mg-1 protein) at 1, 4, & 6 days post-treatment. Since LNCaP cells are androgen-responsive, we also examined the rate of testosterone removal from media by cells cultured one week in presence and absence of SAMC. In LNCaP cells re-plated after 1-week treatment with SAMC (0.5 uM) in media containing 2 ug/mL testosterone, a two-fold increase in testosterone removal was observed at 6- and 48-h compared to LNCaP cells not treated with SAMC. The present study indicates that SAMC exhibits differential effects on PSA secretion and PSM activity and suggests the hypothesis that SAMC may inhibit the progression of androgen-responsive prostate cancer cells by enhancing testosterone catabolism, ultimately decreasing PSA secretion and increasing membrane PSM antigen activity. Dietary garlic constituents may influence the levels of recognized biomarkers used clinically to assess progression of prostate cancer.
Background: Animal and in vitro studies have provided evidence of an anticarcinogenic effect of active ingredients in garlic.
Objective: The objective was to conduct meta-analyses of the epidemiologic literature on the association between garlic consumption and risk of stomach, colon, head and neck, lung, breast, and prostate cancers.
Design: Meta-analyses were conducted for all cancers mutually and separately for colorectal and stomach cancers in relation to consumption of exclusively raw garlic, cooked garlic, or both (RC garlic). Eighteen studies reported a relative risk estimate for RC garlic consumption and cancer risk.
Results: In the meta-analyses of colorectal and stomach cancer, the reference categories ranged from no consumption to consumption of 3.5 g/wk, whereas the highest categories ranged from any consumption to >28.8 g/wk. The average difference between the highest and lowest categories was 16 g/wk. The random-effects relative risk (RR) estimate of colorectal cancer and RC garlic consumption, excluding garlic supplements, was 0.69 (95% CI: 0.55, 0.89). For stomach cancer, the random-effects RR estimate was 0.53 (95% CI: 0.31, 0.92). The heterogeneity among studies for the latter outcome (P = 0.0002) indicates the questionableness of the generalizability of this summary estimate. An indication of publication bias for all cancers combined is evident from a funnel plot of RC garlic consumption and cancer risk and from the results of the Begg and Mazumdar test (P = 0.049).
Conclusions: High intake of RC garlic may be associated with a protective effect against stomach and colorectal cancers. Heterogeneity of effect estimates, differences in dose estimation, publication bias, and possible alternative hypotheses (eg, confounding by total vegetable consumption) preclude sole reliance on summary effect estimates.
A population-based case-control study of cancer of the nasal cavity and sinuses, involving interviews of 60 incident cases and 414 controls, was conducted in Shanghai. Cigarette smoking was associated with a mild elevation in risk of squamous-cell carcinoma but not cancers of other cell types. Occupational exposures to wood and silica dusts and to petroleum products, and the use of wood and straw as cooking fuel, were linked to moderate increases in risk, while 4-fold or greater increases were associated with a history of chronic nasal diseases, including those occurring 10 or more years prior to cancer diagnosis. Dietary analyses revealed a significant protective effect of consumption of allium vegetables, oranges and tangerines, with a 50% reduced risk of nasal cancer among individuals in the highest intake group of these foods. Consumption of salt-preserved vegetables, meat and fish was associated with a significantly increased risk of nasal cancer in a dose-response fashion, with a 5-fold excess observed for the heaviest intake of these salted foods. These findings suggest that dietary factors may contribute to the development of nasal cancer.
The relation between diet and lung cancer was studied among male residents of a mining community in Yunnan Province. After obtaining food frequency data from subjects or proxies, we compared diets of 428 cases, aged 35-74 years, and 1,011 age-matched controls. Cases tended to consume slightly more rice, but less protein-rich foods (i.e., bean curd, meat, eggs) and vegetables than did controls. The relative risks of lung cancer across increasing quartiles of meat (i.e., pork) consumption, for example, were 1.00, 0.67, 0.72 and 0.46 (p for trend less than 0.01). The relative risks of lung cancer across increasing quartiles of consumption of dark-green, leafy vegetables were 1.00, 0.62, 0.52 and 0.41 (p for trend less than 0.01). Although specific dietary constituent(s) responsible for the protective effect of vegetable consumption could not be identified, carotenoids other than beta-carotene, or compounds in cruciferous or Allium vegetables, are possibilities.
Interviews with 564 patients with stomach cancer and 1,131 controls in an area of China where gastric cancer rates are high revealed a significant reduction in gastric cancer risk with increasing consumption of allium vegetables. Persons in the highest quartile of intake experienced only 40% of the risk of those in the lowest. Protective effects were seen for garlic, onions, and other allium foods. Although additional research is needed before etiologic inferences can be made, the findings are consistent with recent reports of tumor inhibition following administration of allium compounds in experimental animals.
The relation between diet and endometrial cancer was examined in a population-based case-control study conducted in Shanghai, People's Republic of China, between 1988 and 1990, involving interviews with 268 cases and 268 controls aged 18-74 years. The subjects' usual dietary intake of 63 major foods during the previous 10 years (disregarding any recent changes) was measured by means of a structured quantitative food questionnaire. Although women in the highest quartile of total caloric intake had a 2.1-fold increased risk of endometrial cancer, risk varied according to the source of calories. The highest quartiles of caloric intake from fat and protein were associated with odds ratios of 3.9 and 3.1, respectively, while calories from carbohydrates, the major contributor of total calories in this population, were not related to risk. The association of fat and protein with endometrial cancer risk was confined to foods of animal origin in the diet. After adjustment for age, body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)2), and number of pregnancies, odds ratios were 3.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.0-6.0) and 3.0 (95% CI 1.7-5.1) for women in the highest quartiles of intake of animal fat and animal protein, respectively. Food group analyses showed a similar pattern, with high consumption of meat, eggs, and fresh fish being associated with elevated risks. After adjustment for total calories, no significant association of risk was found with intake of vegetables or dark green/yellow vegetables, or with estimated carotene intake, although fruit and allium vegetables were associated with some reduction in risk. These results suggest that diets rich in animal fat and animal protein may play an important role in the etiology of endometrial cancer.
Results from case-control studies and laboratory tests indicate that consumption of allium vegetables may considerably reduce the risk of stomach cancer. The association between onion and leek consumption, garlic supplement use, and the incidence of stomach carcinoma was studied.
The association was investigated in the Netherlands Cohort Study on diet and cancer, which started in 1986 with 120,852 men and women ranging in age from 55 to 69 years. Dietary data were available for 139 stomach carcinoma cases diagnosed during 3.3 years of follow-up and for 3123 subjects of the randomly selected subcohort.
The rate ratio for stomach carcinoma in the highest onion consumption category (> or = 0.5 onions/day) was 0.50 (95% confidence interval, 0.26-0.95) compared with the lowest category (0 onions/day) after adjustment for other risk factors. The reduction in risk was restricted to carcinoma in the noncardia part of the stomach (P = 0.002) and was also found among subjects without a history of stomach disorders (P = 0.01). The consumption of leeks and the use of garlic supplements were not associated with stomach carcinoma risk.
The Netherlands Cohort Study provides evidence for a strong inverse association between onion consumption and stomach carcinoma incidence.
Overall, several investigations indicate that garlic and its organic allyl sulfur components inhibit the cancer process. Furthermore, these studies reveal that the benefits of garlic are not limited to a specific species, a particular tissue, or a specific carcinogen. Finally, odor is not a prerequisite for the protection provided by garlic against the initiation of chemical carcinogenesis. Although the water-soluble compound S-allyl cysteine is effective in reducing the risk of chemically induced tumors in experimental animals, it has no effect on established tumors. However, oil-soluble compounds such as diallyl disulfide are effective in reducing the proliferation of neoplasms. Although the evidence supports the benefits of garlic, additional evidence is needed to determine the quantity needed by humans to minimize cancer risk.
Organosulfur compounds are the biologically active components of allium vegetables. Many health benefits have been ascribed to them, including inhibition of carcinogenesis. Inasmuch as several of these thioallyl compounds are quite unstable and others are rapidly inactivated in the body, we have investigated one of the stable components present in aged garlic extract, S-allylmercaptocysteine (SAMC), in an effort to determine whether it can inhibit proliferation of cancer cells. Proliferation and viability of two erythroleukemia cell lines, HEL and OCIM-1, two hormone-responsive breast and prostate cancer cell lines, MCF-7 and CRL-1740, respectively, and normal human umbilical vein endothelial cells in response to different concentrations of SAMC were studied for up to two weeks. There were variations in sensitivity to this organosulfur compound in the different cell lines examined, but the two hormone-responsive cancer cell lines of breast and prostate clearly were far more susceptible to the growth-inhibitory influence of the thioallyl compound. The antiproliferative effect of SAMC was limited to actively growing cells. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells that had reached confluence escaped the reduction in viability so noticeable in the cancer cell lines tested. Our studies thus give evidence of a direct effect of SAMC on established cancer cells.
Of the many beneficial actions of garlic, inhibition of the growth of cancer is perhaps the most remarkable. Our previous animal studies demonstrated that aged garlic extract was highly effective, and unlike the approved immunotherapy for human bladder cancer, bacillus Calmette--Guérin (BCG), garlic was effective when added to the diet. To elucidate the mechanism of this antitumor effect, the literature describing antitumor and immune-enhancing effects of garlic is reviewed. Garlic can detoxify carcinogens by stimulation of cytochrome P(450) enzymes, antioxidant activity or sulfur compound binding. Studies demonstrate a direct toxic effect of garlic to sarcoma and gastric, colon, bladder and prostate cancer cells in tissue culture, but these effects cannot explain the inhibition of growth of transplanted cancer in animal models. The most likely explanation of this effect is immune stimulation. Comparison of the effects of garlic to BCG immunotherapy reveals many similarities. Both stimulate proliferation of lymphocytes and macrophage phagocytosis, induce the infiltration of macrophages and lymphocytes in transplanted tumors, induce splenic hypertrophy, stimulate release of interleukin-2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interferon-gamma, enhance natural killer cell, killer cell and lymphokine-activated killer cell activity. These activities represent effective stimulation of the immune response. Studies suggest that garlic may be useful in preventing the suppression of immune response that is associated with increased risk of malignancy. Data suggest that maintenance of immune stimulation can significantly reduce the risk of cancer. Clinical trials should be initiated to test the hypothesis that the immune stimulation and other beneficial effects of garlic are able to reduce the incidence of cancer.
Animal and in vitro studies provide evidence of an anticarcinogenic effect of active ingredients in garlic. This review of the epidemiologic literature on garlic consumption addresses cancers of the stomach, colon, head and neck, lung, breast and prostate. Nineteen studies reported relative risk estimates for garlic consumption and cancer incidence. Site-specific case-control studies of stomach and colorectal cancer, in which multiple reports were available, suggest a protective effect of high intake of raw and/or cooked garlic. Cohort studies confirm this inverse association for colorectal cancer. Few cohort and case-control studies for other sites of cancer exist. Garlic supplements, as analyzed in four cohort studies and one case-control report, from two distinct populations, do not appear to be related to risk. Low study power, lack of variability in garlic consumption categorization within studies and poor adjustment for potential cofounders may limit the reliability of any conclusions regarding garlic supplements. However, an indication of publication bias was also found by visual inspection of a funnel plot and in a log-rank test (P = 0.004). Evidence from available studies nevertheless suggests a preventive effect of garlic consumption in stomach and colorectal cancers. The study limitations indicate the need for more definitive research and improved nutritional epidemiologic analyses of dietary data.
Enhanced immunocompetence by garlic: role in bladder cancer and other malig-nancies
- Lamm Dl
- Dr
Lamm DL, Riggs DR. Enhanced immunocompetence by garlic: role in bladder cancer and other malig-nancies. J Nutr 2001;131(3s):1067S–70S.
Garlic consumption and cancer prevention
- Fleischauer
Dietary determinants of lung-cancer risk
- Swanson
Enhanced immunocompetence by garlic
- Lamm