Role of garlic in dyslipidemia: an evidence based review

Rapidly growing morbidity and mortality due to heart disease is a great concerned for scientist. Among the etiology of atherosclerosis, dyslipidemia is a major risk factor. Garlic has active ingredients of allium sativum used in high blood pressure management. Garlic has been used as a therapeutic agent for many illnesses such as hypertension, dyslipidemia and cardiovascular diseases. Evidence from various studies and clinical trials proved the efficacy of garlic to reduce lipid level.However, some contradictory results are also reported. This review was undertaken to assess the role of garlic therapy in dyslipidemia. Major databases including Google, PubMed, MEDLINE, and Cochrane library view were used for literature search. Clinical trials conducted on humans assessing role of garlic therapy in dyslipidemia and the possible mechanisms responsible for such therapeutic actions were assessed. Several trials and meta-analyses have suggested positive effect of garlic on total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglycerides (TG). This review on garlic therapy in dyslipidemia suggests that it reduces elevated cholesterol to a modest extent.