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World J Exp Med. Jun 20, 2025; 15(2): 103481
Published online Jun 20, 2025. doi: 10.5493/wjem.v15.i2.103481
Immunomodulatory effect of allium sativum in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Elva Manuela Mejía Delgado, Juan Eduardo Quiroz-Aldave, María del Carmen Durand-Vásquez, Lea Noemí Aldave-Pita, Jenyfer María Fuentes-Mendoza, Luis Alberto Concepción-Urteaga, José Paz-Ibarra, Marcio José Concepción-Zavaleta
Elva Manuela Mejía Delgado, Basic Sciences of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, Trujillo 13011, La Libertad, Peru
Juan Eduardo Quiroz-Aldave, Non-Communicable Diseases, Endocrinology Research Line, Hospital de Apoyo Chepén, Chepén 13871, La Libertad, Peru
María del Carmen Durand-Vásquez, Family Medicine, Centro de Salud Mental Comunitario “Abraza la Vida”, Pueblo Nuevo 13851, La Libertad, Peru
Lea Noemí Aldave-Pita, School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, Trujillo 13011, La Libertad, Peru
Jenyfer María Fuentes-Mendoza, Marcio José Concepción-Zavaleta, Carrera de Medicina Humana, Universidad Científica del Sur, Lima 15067, Peru
Luis Alberto Concepción-Urteaga, Internal Medicine, Hospital Regional Docente de Trujillo, Trujillo 13011, La Libertad, Peru
José Paz-Ibarra, School of Medicine, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima 15081, Peru
José Paz-Ibarra, Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Nacional Edgardo Rebagliati Martins, Lima 15072, Peru
Co-first authors: Elva Manuela Mejía Delgado and Juan Eduardo Quiroz-Aldave.
Author contributions: Mejía Delgado EM and Quiroz-Aldave JE designed the study, collected the data, and performed the initial analysis, they contributed equally to this article, they are the co-first authors of this manuscript; Durand-Vásquez MC and Aldave-Pita LN collaborated in bibliographic analysis and discussion development; Fuentes-Mendoza JM participated in the literature review and supported manuscript drafting; Concepción-Urteaga LA and Paz-Ibarra J contributed to the writing, structure, and final editing; Concepción-Zavaleta MJ supervised the research process and made critical revisions to the manuscript; and all authors approved the final version of the manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Marcio José Concepción-Zavaleta, Carrera de Medicina Humana, Universidad Científica del Sur, 19 Panamericana Sur Km, Villa El Salvador, Lima 15067, Peru. mconcepcion@cientifica.edu.pe
Received: November 21, 2024
Revised: March 10, 2025
Accepted: March 21, 2025
Published online: June 20, 2025
Processing time: 146 Days and 22.6 Hours
Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disorder marked by chronic hyperglycemia and low-grade inflammation, contributing to various complications. Natural agents with immunomodulatory and antioxidant properties have gained attention as adjunct therapies. To review the effects of Allium sativum on inflammatory pathways and metabolic alterations associated with T2DM. A narrative review was performed using PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scielo databases. The search included terms such as “allium sativum”, “inflammation", “oxidative stress”, and “diabetes mellitus”. Studies in English and Spanish - ranging from clinical trials to meta-analyses - were selected based on relevance. Bioactive compounds such as allicin, S-allyl cysteine, and diallyl disulfide exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypoglycemic, and lipid-lowering actions. Preclinical studies show improved glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, and organ function. Moreover, clinical evidence supports reductions in fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure, and oxidative stress, with good safety profiles. Allium sativum appears to be a promising adjuvant in T2DM management, offering metabolic and anti-inflammatory benefits. Nonetheless, further high-quality clinical trials are needed to confirm its long-term efficacy and standardize its therapeutic use.

Keywords: Garlic; Phytotherapy; Anti-inflammatory agents; Antioxidants; Immunomodulating agents; Type 2 diabetes mellitus

Core Tip: Allium sativum (garlic) demonstrates significant potential in managing type 2 diabetes mellitus through its immunomodulatory effects, primarily due to its organosulfur compounds like allicin. Preclinical and clinical studies suggest garlic improves metabolic control by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, glucose levels, and insulin resistance, with benefits comparable to antidiabetic drugs. It may also positively impact complications such as metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, hypertension, nephropathy, and cardiovascular disease. However, more clinical trials are needed to confirm its therapeutic efficacy and optimize its use in type 2 diabetes mellitus treatment. Garlic offers promise as a natural adjunct to conventional diabetes management.