Abstract
Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is the most often used medicinal plant and the
second most commonly used Allium species after onion. It belongs to the Alliaceae
family. Garlic originated in Central Asia and is currently cultivated all over the world.
Garlic is rich in bioactive components and is used in various medicinal uses. Garlic has
a greater concentration of sulfur-containing compounds, which contribute to its
pungent odour. The major phytoconstituents of garlic are alliin, allicin, ajeones (oilsoluble organosulfur compounds); water-soluble organosulfur compounds such as Sallyl cysteine (SAC), metabolites allyl mercaptan (AM), allyl methyl sulphide (AMS),
and S-allyl-mercapto cysteine (SAMC). Due to its bioactive components, garlic has
various pharmacological properties, including anticancer, antidiabetic, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial action. Garlic micropropagation is feasible
due to its widespread use and robust pharmacological activity. Micropropagation of
garlic, which includes meristem culture or shoot tip culture, is reported to have various
advantages, including the ability to create disease-free plant material, develop a higher
number of desired plants, enhance the bioactive of garlic, and improve crop quality.
This chapter briefly summarizes garlic's bioactive components, their pharmacological
actions, the role of micropropagation in garlic, and its application.