Phytochemicals of garlic: Promising candidates for cancer therapy.

Yan Zhang, Xingping Liu, Jun Ruan, Xuan Zhuang, Xinzong Zhang, Zhiming Li

Journal: Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie 2020;123():109730

PMID: 31877551

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Abstract

Of the numerous health benefits of garlic, the anticancer effect is probably the most noticeable. Observations over the past years have shown that the consumption of garlic in the diet provides strong protection against cancer risk. Previous studies involving garlic phytochemicals have usually focused on the cancer chemopreventive properties, but there is little published evidence showing its therapeutic potential in cancer treatment. In view of the multitargeted carcinoma actions and lack of severe toxicity, some components of garlic are likely to play vital roles in the selective killing of cancer cells. However, the rational design of experimental studies and clinical trials are required to verify this concept. This paper discusses the promises and pitfalls of garlic for the treatment of cancer.

Address: Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China. Electronic address: [email protected].; Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China. Electronic address: [email protected].; College of Life Sciences, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, Hubei, China. Electronic address: [email protected].; Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen 361003, Fujian, China. Electronic address: [email protected].; NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Family Planning Research Institute of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou 510600, Guangdong, China. Electronic address: [email protected].; Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, Hubei, China. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2019.109730