Harnessing Therapeutic Potential of Allicin Against Cancer: An Exploratory Review

Background: The biological name of garlic is Allium sativum L., a familiar spice with various health benefits. These benefits are mainly attributable to the compound diversity of garlic, which includes saponins, polysaccharides, organic sulfides, and phenolic compounds. Allicin exhibits therapeutic activity such as antibacterial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-diabetic, and cardiovascular protection. This present study explores the anticancer potential of allicin, including cell line studies that examine its effects on various cancer types by analyzing the growth inhibition of cancer cells at different allicin concentrations.

Aim: This study aims to present a concise overview of allicin, update patent statistics, and provide detailed insights into its wide range of therapeutic benefits, with a particular emphasis on its anticancer properties.

Methods: A literature review has been conducted using reliable sources, including ClinicalTrials.gov, ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, and other reputable foundations, to assess the true potential of allicin in cancer therapeutics.

Results: Allicin, a naturally occurring compound in garlic, represents a promising treatme nt approach for cancer due to its potent anticancer properties. Cell line studies have shown that various concentrations of allicin significantly inhibit cancer cell growth, underscoring its effectiveness against cancer types such as breast, pancreatic, liver, renal, osteosarcoma, gastric, colorectal, and stomach cancers. By effectively targeting cancer cells, allicin stands out as a potential therapeutic agent.

Conclusion: The primary goal of the review is to highlight the anticancer potential of allicin, along with an overview of clinical and patent studies.