2. Conclusion
Garlic (Allium sativum) is among the oldest of all cultivated
plants. The garlic compounds appear to target multiple pathways,
including the mutagenesis inhibition, enzyme activities
modulation, inhibition of DNA adduct, affecting the intrinsic
pathway for apoptotic cell death and cell cycle machinery which
may all contribute to their anticancer activities. It has been suggested
that anticancer effect is due to the organosulfur compounds
in the garlic and act through induction of phase II
detoxification enzymes. It is possible that diallyl disulfide and
diallyl trisulfide is important in the anticancer action of garlic.
More than one compound is responsible for the anticancer properties
of garlic. The peak plasma concentration of DATS in rats
following treatment with 10 mg of the compound was shown to
be about 31 lmol/L. Although the pharmacokinetic parameters
for DATS in humans have not yet been measured, oral administration
of 200 mg of synthetic DATS (also known as allitridum)
in combination with 100 lg selenium every other day for
1 month to humans did not cause any harmful side effects. Future
research should focus on clinical assessment of these compounds
for prevention/treatment of cancers in humans