EFFECT OF GARLIC ON PLATELET-AGGREGATION IN PATIENTS WITH INCREASED RISK OF JUVENILE ISCHEMIC ATTACK

A platelet-inhibiting effect is described for garlic. In this double-b lind, placebo-controlled study on 60 voluntary subjects with cerebrova scular risk factors and constantly increased platelet aggregation it w as demonstrated that the daily ingestion of 800 mg of powdered garlic (in the form of coated tablets) over 4 weeks led to a significant inhi bition of the pathologically increased ratio of circulating platelet a ggregates and of spontaneous platelet aggregation. The ratio of circul ating platelet aggregates decreased by 10.3%, from 1.17 +/- 0.08 to 1. 05 +/- 0.11 (P < 0.01), and spontaneous platelet aggregation by 56.3%, from 40.7 +/- 23.3 to 17.8 +/- 23.2 degrees (P < 0.01) during the gar lic phase. There were no significant changes in the placebo group. The parallel group comparison (garlic versus placebo) revealed a signific antly different ratio of circulating platelet aggregates after 4 weeks of treatment (P < 0.05). After the 4-week wash-out phase the values i ncreased again to 1.19 +/- 0.32 and 34.9 +/- 28.7-degrees, reaching th e initial values (run-in phase prior to the ingestion of garlic). Sinc e garlic is well tolerated it would be worth testing it in a controlle d clinical trial for usefulness in preventing disease manifestations a ssociated with platelet aggregation.