Possible roles of garlic and its bioactive components on mitochondrial function in physiological and pathological conditions

Abstract Garlic and its derivatives are widely recognized as herbal medications for the prevention and treatment of certain conditions associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, such as cardiovascular disease, neurological disease, diabetes, aging, and various cancers. Biological properties of garlic involve modulation of mitochondrial respiration, biogenesis and dynamics and regulation of apoptotic, oxidative stress, cell growth, cell proliferation, and inflammatory processes. Interestingly, garlic preparations and its bioactive compounds can both enhance and impair mitochondrial function depending on basal cellular function. Garlic impairs mitochondrial function leading to oxidative stress, apoptosis cell, and cycle arrest in normal and cancer cells, whereas it improves mitochondrial function resulting in antioxidant, antiapoptotic, and antiinflammatory activities in stress-induced conditions. In summary, garlic and its bioactive compounds exert protective effects against stress-induced conditions and exhibit anticancer activity in several cancer cell types.