An increase in the number of smokers, severe air pollution and outbreak of respiratory infectious diseases have caused a sharp increase in patients with respiratory diseases, which seriously threatens the safety of human lives and properties. Garlic, as a medicine-food homology plant, is used as a medicine by its bulbs. It has various pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, blood lipid lowering, blood pressure lowering, and anti-bacterial effects. Furthermore, the main active substances in garlic are organosulfur compounds. In recent years, many studies have reported the significant protective effects of garlic organosulfur compounds on common respiratory diseases. Based on the literatures from Pubmed and Web of Science in the past 5 years, we reviewed the effects and mechanisms of garlic organosulfur compounds against chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma, acute lung injury, pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer in this article. The underlying mechanisms consisted of anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, anti-apoptosis, reducing mucus secretion, inhibiting extracellular matrix synthesis, inhibiting cancer cell metastasis, and reducing cancer stem cells activity. The article was aimed to provide theoretical and experimental evidences for the further development and cli-nical applications of garlic organosulfur compound products.
Keywords: garlic organosulfur compounds; mechanism; prevention and therapeutic effects; respiratory diseases.