A meta-analysis of the effect of garlic on blood pressure

Abstract

Objective: To undertake a systematic review, including meta-analysis, of published and unpublished randomized controlled trials of garlic preparations to determine the effect of garlic on blood pressure relative to placebo and other antihypertensive agents.

Data identification: Studies were identified by a search of Medline and the Alternative Medicine electronic databases, from references listed in primary and review articles, and through direct contact with garlic manufacturers.

Study selection: Only randomized controlled trials of garlic preparations that were at least 4 weeks in duration were deemed eligible for inclusion in the review.

Data extraction: Data were extracted from the published reports by the two authors independently, with disagreements resolved by discussion.

Results: Eight trials were identified (all using the same dried garlic powder preparation (Kwai) with data from 415 subjects included in the analyses. Only three of the trials were specifically conducted in hypertensive subjects, and many had other methodological shortcomings. Of the seven trials that compared the effect of garlic with that of placebo, three showed a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and four in diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The overall pooled mean difference in the absolute change (from baseline to final measurement) of SBP was greater in the subjects who were treated with garlic then in those treated with placebo. For DBP the corresponding reduction in the garlic-treated subjects was slightly smaller.

Conclusions: The results suggest that this garlic powder preparation may be of some clinical use in subjects with mild hypertension. However, there is still insufficient evidence to recommend it as a routine clinical therapy for the treatment of hypertensive subjects. More-rigorously designed and analysed trials are needed.