The antiatherosclerotic effect of Allium sativum

Koscielny, J; Klüßendorf, D; Latza, R; Schmitt, R; Radtke, H; Siegel, G; Kiesewetter, H

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Volume 144, Issue 1 , Pages 237-249, May 1999

The antiatherosclerotic effect of Allium sativum

J Koscielny
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology, University Clinic Charité of the Humboldt University, Schumannstraße 20/21, D-10117 Berlin, Germany
D Klüßendorf
- Institute of Physiology, Biophysical Research Group, University Clinic Benjamin Franklin of the Free University of Berlin, Arnimallee 22, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
R Latza
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology, University Clinic Charité of the Humboldt University, Schumannstraße 20/21, D-10117 Berlin, Germany
R Schmitt
- Institute of Frauenhofer (IBMT), Ensheimer Str. 48, 66386 St. Ingbert, Germany
H Radtke
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology, University Clinic Charité of the Humboldt University, Schumannstraße 20/21, D-10117 Berlin, Germany
G Siegel
- Institute of Physiology, Biophysical Research Group, University Clinic Benjamin Franklin of the Free University of Berlin, Arnimallee 22, D-14195 Berlin, Germany
H Kiesewetter
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology, University Clinic Charité of the Humboldt University, Schumannstraße 20/21, D-10117 Berlin, Germany
- Corresponding author

Received 9 February 1998; accepted 7 December 1998. published online 16 August 2004.

Abstract

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, the plaque volumes in both carotid and femoral arteries of 152 probationers were determined by B-mode ultrasound. Continuous intake of high-dose garlic powder dragées reduced significantly the increase in arteriosclerotic plaque volume by 5–18% or even effected a slight regression within the observational period of 48 months. Also the age-dependent representation of the plaque volume shows an increase between 50 and 80 years that is diminished under garlic treatment by 6–13% related to 4 years. It seems even more important that with garlic application the plaque volume in the whole collective remained practically constant within the age-span of 50–80 years. These results substantiated that not only a preventive but possibly also a curative role in arteriosclerosis therapy (plaque regression) may be ascribed to garlic remedies.

Keywords: Arteriosclerosis, Carotid and femoral arteries, Plaque volume, Time- and age-dependent reduction, Garlic powder, Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase IV clinical trial, B-mode ultrasound