Alliin
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Alliin (S-allyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (Alliin)) is a dietary supplement with 10 published peer-reviewed studies involving 3,272 participants, researched for Antimicrobial Properties, Cardiovascular Effects, Antioxidant & Metabolic Effects and 2 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Antimicrobial Properties
ModerateCardiovascular Effects
ModerateAntioxidant & Metabolic Effects
ModerateMechanisms & Reviews
ModerateClinical trials
WeakResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Antimicrobial Properties
To characterise the antimicrobial activity spectrum of alliin and its conversion product allicin.
Study Type
In vitro antimicrobial study
Purpose
To characterise the antimicrobial activity spectrum of alliin and its conversion product allicin.
Dose
0.05-5 mg/mL alliin/allicin
Participants
30+ microbial strains including MRSA, Candida spp., E. coli
Duration
Acute assay
Results
Allicin (converted from alliin) exhibited potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity (MIC 0.1-1 mg/mL) including MRSA strains; alliin itself had modest activity requiring enzymatic conversion.
How They Measured It
Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) against bacterial and fungal pathogens
To evaluate alliin-containing garlic preparation on Helicobacter pylori eradication.
Study Type
Pilot clinical study
Purpose
To evaluate alliin-containing garlic preparation on Helicobacter pylori eradication.
Dose
900 mg alliin-standardised garlic extract daily
Participants
40 H. pylori positive adults
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Alliin-standardised garlic significantly reduced H. pylori breath test positivity (60% reduction); less effective than triple therapy but with fewer side effects.
How They Measured It
H. pylori breath test; gastric biopsy culture
Cardiovascular Effects
To evaluate alliin-standardised garlic powder on blood pressure and lipids.
Study Type
Randomised double-blind placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate alliin-standardised garlic powder on blood pressure and lipids.
Dose
900 mg/day alliin-standardised garlic powder
Participants
90 adults with mild hyperlipidaemia
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significant reductions in total cholesterol (-8%) and triglycerides (-15%); modest but significant reduction in diastolic BP (-4 mmHg).
How They Measured It
Systolic/diastolic BP, fasting lipid panel
To pool evidence on garlic (alliin-standardised) supplementation for lipid reduction.
Study Type
Meta-analysis
Purpose
To pool evidence on garlic (alliin-standardised) supplementation for lipid reduction.
Dose
Various standardised doses
Participants
Multiple RCTs pooled
Duration
Review
Results
Alliin-standardised garlic reduced total cholesterol by mean -0.41 mmol/L (95% CI -0.66 to -0.15); triglycerides also significantly reduced.
How They Measured It
Meta-analysis of lipid outcomes from RCTs using alliin-standardised garlic
Antioxidant & Metabolic Effects
To investigate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of alliin in a diabetic rat model.
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of alliin in a diabetic rat model.
Dose
10-50 mg/kg alliin
Participants
Streptozotocin-diabetic rat model
Duration
6 weeks
Results
Alliin significantly reduced oxidative stress markers and blood glucose levels; hepatic antioxidant enzyme activities improved.
How They Measured It
Liver MDA, SOD, GSH; fasting blood glucose; HbA1c equivalent
To evaluate alliin-enriched garlic extract on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetic adults.
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
To evaluate alliin-enriched garlic extract on glycaemic control in type 2 diabetic adults.
Dose
1.2 g alliin-standardised garlic extract daily
Participants
70 adults with type 2 diabetes
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significant improvements in fasting glucose (-12%), HbA1c (-0.4%), and HOMA-IR vs placebo.
How They Measured It
Fasting glucose, post-prandial glucose, HbA1c, HOMA-IR
Mechanisms & Reviews
To review alliin's chemistry, conversion to allicin, and the pharmacological significance of each compound.
Study Type
Mechanistic review
Purpose
To review alliin's chemistry, conversion to allicin, and the pharmacological significance of each compound.
Dose
Varied
Participants
Multiple studies reviewed
Duration
Review
Results
Alliin itself has modest pharmacological activity; its conversion to allicin by alliinase is required for peak bioactivity; standardisation of garlic supplements to alliin content is key for quality.
How They Measured It
Literature synthesis
To investigate dietary garlic intake (alliin source) and gastric cancer risk.
Study Type
Observational study
Purpose
To investigate dietary garlic intake (alliin source) and gastric cancer risk.
Dose
Dietary intake (observational)
Participants
3000 adults in prospective cohort
Duration
10 years
Results
High dietary garlic intake (alliin source) associated with 45% lower gastric cancer risk; dose-response relationship observed.
How They Measured It
FFQ garlic intake; gastric cancer from registry
Clinical trials
To investigate the effects of Alliin in accumulation of sulforaphane and alliin in human prostate tissue.
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Alliin in accumulation of sulforaphane and alliin in human prostate tissue.
Dose
Alliin (dose not specified)
Participants
42 participants
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
f men consuming the glucoraphanin containing supplements (p < 0.0001) compared to men not consuming these supplements. However, while alliin and alliin-derived metabolites were detected within the prostate, there was no significant difference in the concentrations of these compounds in the prostate of men consuming supplements derived from garlic compared to men not consuming these supplements.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Alliin in analysis of dose and duration dependent effects of allium sativum linn and other hypocholesterolemic agents exhibited on dyslipidemia in patients with
Study Type
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Alliin in analysis of dose and duration dependent effects of allium sativum linn and other hypocholesterolemic agents exhibited on dyslipidemia in patients with
Dose
300 mg
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
24 weeks
Results
y 0.3g, 0.6g, 0.9g, 1.2g and 1.5g for 24 weeks were compared in humans. Each tablet contains 1.3 percent of alliin and 0.6 % of allicin. Results showed remarkable improvements in different serum lipid levels (Cholesterol, Triglycerides, Low density lipoproteins and High density lipoproteins) based on different doses and duration as compared to placebo and standard Lipid-lowering agent simvastatin.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Alliin research
There are currently 10 peer-reviewed studies on Alliin (S-allyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide (Alliin)), involving 3,272 total participants. Research covers Antimicrobial Properties, Cardiovascular Effects, Antioxidant & Metabolic Effects and 2 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (6 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Alliin has been researched for: Antimicrobial Properties, Cardiovascular Effects, Antioxidant & Metabolic Effects, Mechanisms & Reviews, Clinical trials. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 6 out of 10 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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