Page 135 - Pharmacognosy-II (06-PG 303)

Subterranean stems containing volatile oils
5. Garlic

Botanical origin: It is the fresh or dried bulbs of Allium sativum L. (Liliaceae)
Consists of several outer layers of thin protective leaves which surround an inner
sheath enclosing the swollen storage leaves called “cloves”.

Chemical constituents
1- Volatile oil: Sulfur–containing compounds (≈17) Alliin, compounds
produced enzymatically from alliin including allicin
2- Enzymes: Allinase, peroxidases, myrosinase
Allicin (& other sulfur–containing cpds) => formed from alliin by alliinase when
garlic is crushed or chopped.

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