Abstract
Garlic (Allium sativum) has been used for centuries as a prophylactic and therapeutic medicinal agent. Importantly, garlic has been suggested to have both cancer-preventive potential as well as significant enhancing effects on the immune system. While these observations are supported experimentally both in vitro and in vivo, the impact of garlic in assisting the immune system in the prevention of cancer still lacks experimental confirmation. Studies addressing the immunomodulatory effects of garlic reveal conflicting data as to pro- or anti-inflammatory responses depending on the particular experimental set-ups and the garlic preparation used (i.e. garlic extract versus chemically pure garlic compounds). Here we provide an overview of the chemistry of the major garlic organosulfur compounds, summarize the current understanding and propose a link between the immunomodulating activity of garlic and the prevention of cancer. We hypothesize that garlic rather elicits anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative responses that aid in priming the organism towards eradication of an emerging tumor.
Keywords: Anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, cancer prevention, disulfide, garlic, immunomodulatory.
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry
Title:The Immunomodulation and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Garlic Organosulfur Compounds in Cancer Chemoprevention
Volume: 14 Issue: 2
Author(s): Georgia Schäfer and Catherine H. Kaschula
Affiliation:
Keywords: Anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, cancer prevention, disulfide, garlic, immunomodulatory.
Abstract: Garlic (Allium sativum) has been used for centuries as a prophylactic and therapeutic medicinal agent. Importantly, garlic has been suggested to have both cancer-preventive potential as well as significant enhancing effects on the immune system. While these observations are supported experimentally both in vitro and in vivo, the impact of garlic in assisting the immune system in the prevention of cancer still lacks experimental confirmation. Studies addressing the immunomodulatory effects of garlic reveal conflicting data as to pro- or anti-inflammatory responses depending on the particular experimental set-ups and the garlic preparation used (i.e. garlic extract versus chemically pure garlic compounds). Here we provide an overview of the chemistry of the major garlic organosulfur compounds, summarize the current understanding and propose a link between the immunomodulating activity of garlic and the prevention of cancer. We hypothesize that garlic rather elicits anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative responses that aid in priming the organism towards eradication of an emerging tumor.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Schäfer Georgia and Kaschula H. Catherine, The Immunomodulation and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Garlic Organosulfur Compounds in Cancer Chemoprevention, Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry 2014; 14 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/18715206113136660370
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/18715206113136660370 |
Print ISSN 1871-5206 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5992 |
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Genetic and Molecular Approaches to the Immunopathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis: An Update
Current Molecular Medicine Positron Emission Tomography Radiopharmaceuticals for Sex Steroid Hormone Receptor Imaging
Current Medicinal Chemistry Current and Future Applications of Probiotics
Current Nutrition & Food Science Estrogens as Potential Therapeutic Agents in Multiple Sclerosis
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry LPTS: A Novel Tumor Suppressor Gene and a Promising Drug Target for Cancer Intervention
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Prospects of Bacteriotherapy with Nanotechnology in Nanoparticledrug Conjugation Approach for Cancer Therapy
Current Medicinal Chemistry Small Animal Computed Tomography Imaging
Current Medical Imaging The Function of the Selective Inhibitors of Cycloxygenase 2
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry N-Myristoyltransferase: A Novel Target
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Genistein Potentiates the Anti-cancer Effects of Gemcitabine in Human Osteosarcoma via the Downregulation of Akt and Nuclear Factor-κB Pathway
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Development of A Novel System Based on Green Magnetic / Graphene Oxide / Chitosan /Allium Sativum / Quercus / Nanocomposite for Targeted Release of Doxorubicin Anti-Cancer Drug
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Polymorphisms of Human N-Acetyltransferases and Cancer Risk
Current Drug Metabolism VEGF Signal System: The Application of Antiangiogenesis
Current Medicinal Chemistry Immunotherapy with Tumor Vaccines for the Treatment of Malignant Gliomas
Current Drug Discovery Technologies Engineered Nanoparticles in Cancer Therapy
Recent Patents on Drug Delivery & Formulation Oxidized Polysaccharides as Green and Sustainable Biomaterials
Current Organic Chemistry Adenosine A<sub>3</sub> Receptor: A promising therapeutic target in cardiovascular disease
Current Cardiology Reviews New Pharmacologic Horizons in the Treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Current Drug Therapy Strategies of overcoming the physiological barriers for tumor-targeted nano-sized drug delivery systems
Current Pharmaceutical Design Recent Developments in Targeting Breast Cancer Stem Cells
Recent Patents on Regenerative Medicine