Table 1.

The key points about the proposed mechanism of antiatherogenic and related effects of garlic.

Depressed hepatic activities of lipogenic and cholesterogenic enzymes Increased hepatic degradation of cholesterol to bile acids Decreased plasma LDL-cholesterol levels Antithrombotic and anti-platelet aggregation effects due to reduced formation of thromboxanes, inhibition of phospholipase activity, lipoxygenase products formation in platelets and of calcium mobilization Stimulates fibrolytic activity Lowers plasma homocysteine levels Antihypertensive action and decrease in peripheral vascular resistance due to its prostaglandin like effects and ability to inhibit angiotensin–converting enzyme Attenuation of aortic stiffness and thus protective effect on the elastic properties of the aorta