AUTHOR=Mardi Parham , Kargar Reza , Fazeli Ramina , Qorbani Mostafa 

TITLE=Allium sativum: A potential natural compound for NAFLD prevention and treatment

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Nutrition

VOLUME=10

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1059106

DOI=10.3389/fnut.2023.1059106

ISSN=2296-861X

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Introduction</title><p>Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) results from an excessive accumulation of fat particles that causes liver inflammation, which ultimately causes liver damage. There is still considerable uncertainty about the effects of any nutritional supplements compared to no additional intervention. This review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of <italic>Allium sativum (A. sativum)</italic>, known as garlic, in preventing and treating NAFLD.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>A systematic search based on a search strategy consisting of two components of “NAFLD” and “<italic>Allium sativum</italic>” in databases including PubMed, Web of Science (WoS), and SCOPUS was conducted on papers evaluating the effects of <italic>A. sativum</italic> on NAFLD treatment and prevention. We obtained studies from inception until 20 September 2022, followed by study selection and data extraction based on our eligibility criteria. Consequently, qualitative and quantitative synthesis was conducted.</p></sec><sec><title>Results</title><p>Our qualitative analysis reveals that <italic>A. sativum</italic> consumption is linked to the prevention of NAFLD, especially in males, although qualitative data in this study regarding the therapeutic properties of NAFLD was controversial. Our meta-analysis showed that NAFLD patients treated with <italic>A. sativum</italic> have significantly declined aminotransferase levels. That is to say, our meta-analysis revealed a lower alanine transaminase (ALT) (SMD = −0.580, 95%CI = −0.822 to −0.338), and aspartate transaminase (AST(SMD = −0.526, 95%CI = −0.767 to −0.284) in NAFLD patients treated with <italic>A. sativum</italic> compared to the placebo group. Also, pooling data from case-control studies showed that A. sativum consumption decreases the odds of being diagnosed with NAFLD by 46% (OR = 0.538, 95%CI = 0.451–0.625).</p></sec><sec><title>Conclusion</title><p><italic>A. sativum</italic> consumption is not merely associated with NAFLD prevention but also results in a considerable decline in blood aminotransferase levels in patients diagnosed with NAFLD. To put it simply, <italic>A. sativum</italic> is linked to a decline in AST and ALT, which are considered reliable biomarkers of NAFLD response to treatment. Nevertheless, <italic>A. sativum</italic> is insufficient to improve NAFLD independent of other dietary amendments and lifestyle modifications.</p></sec>