The miracle of herbs: Garlic: Biological properties of Allium sativum

Garlic (Allium sativum) is historically involved in human medicine and food. This plant is widely cultivated almost all over the world. Garlic extracts have been reported to possess many biological activities including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic, antiasthmatic, immunomodulatory, prebiotic activities also be effective in cardiovascular disease, because of their hypocholesterolemic, hypolipidemic, anti-hypertensive, anti-diabetic, antithrombotic and anti-hyperhomocysteinemia effects. These biological properties give the importance of these vegetables and derived supplements as much in feeding as in therapeutic. Several ecotypes of garlic is grown and cultivated in Iran, including Rasht purple garlic that belongs to Persian-star garlics with purple strips and big bulbs. In this study antibacterial, antioxidant and total phenolic compounds of aqueous, ethanol, methanol, hexane, chloroform, boiled, brewed and total-extract (juice) of Rasht purple garlic peels and edible parts were evaluated and strongest extract was used as additive in Doogh (Iranian yogurt drink).