Salehi B., Zucca P., Orhan I.E., Azzini E., Adetunji C.O., Mohammed S.A., Banerjee S.K., Sharopov F., Rigano D., Sharifi-Rad J., Armstrong L., Martorell M., Sureda A., Martins N., Selamoğlu Z., Ahmad Z., and Salehi, B., Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Bam, Iran -- Zucca, P., Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy -- Orhan, I.E., Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Ankara, 06330, Turkey -- Azzini, E., Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), Research Centre for Food and Nutrition Via Ardeatina, Rome, 546-00178, Italy -- Adetunji, C.O., Applied Microbiology, Biotechnology and Nanotechnology Laboratory, Department of Microbiology, Edo University, Iyamho, Edo State, Nigeria -- Mohammed, S.A., Drug Discovery Research Center (DDRC), Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad, 121001, India -- Banerjee, S.K., Drug Discovery Research Center (DDRC), Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Faridabad, 121001, India -- Sharopov, F., Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Avicenna Tajik State Medical University, Rudaki 139, Dushanbe, 734003, Tajikistan -- Rigano, D., Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, via D. Montesano 49, Naples, 80131, Italy -- Sharifi-Rad, J., Food Safety Research Center (salt), Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran -- Armstrong, L., State University of Ponta Grossa, Departament of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ponta Grossa, Paraná, Brazil -- Martorell, M., Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile -- Sureda, A., Research Group on Community Nutrition and Oxidative Stress, Laboratory of Physical Activity Sciences, and CIBEROBN, Physiopathology of Obesity and Nutrition, CB12/03/30038, University of Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain -- Martins, N., Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Alameda Prof. Hernâni Monteiro, Porto, 4200-319, Portugal, Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (i3S), University of Porto, Porto, 4200-135, Portugal -- Selamoğlu, Z., Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Nigde Ömer Halisdemir University, Campus, Nigde, 51240, Turkey -- Ahmad, Z., Archives and Libraries Department Government of Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, Pakistan
Background: Allicin is an organosulfur and defensive compound found in garlic (Allium sativum L.) and other Allium species. Its unique odor is easily detectable, and its effects on human health have been studied since ancient times. Scope and approach: In this compressive review we report the presence of allicin in different Allium species, their biosynthesis, pharmacokinetics, absorption, and safety profile. Among the main allicin applications highlight its antimicrobial and antiparasitic properties, reviewed in the present work from in vitro evidence and in vivo studies. Finally, special attention was also given to the allicin state of the art in human health, including in vitro and in vivo assays, and clinical trials, on antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic and immunomodulatory effects, besides to its contribution as a cardioprotective agent. Key findings and conclusions: The promising capacity of allicin to interact with thiol groups seems to be directly related to its antimicrobial potential, showing both antibacterial and antifungal activities. Allicin also displayed an interesting potential in the prevention and treatment of several diseases including diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Indeed, its antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects are some of the mechanisms that may explain their biological activities. Future applications should be directed to allicin pharmaceutical formulation, its delivery and its compatibility with food matrices and other drugs due to allicin biosynthesis, instability, reactivity, and volatility. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd, Consejo Nacional de Innovación, Ciencia y Tecnología Fuel Cell Technologies Program, N. Martins would like to thank the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT–Portugal) for the Strategic project ref. UID/BIM/04293/2013 and “ NORTE2020—Programa Operacional Regional do Norte ” ( NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000012 ). M. Martorell would like to thank the support offered by CONICYT PIA/APOYO CCTE AFB170007 .