S-Allylcysteine (SAC)
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
S-Allylcysteine (SAC) (S-Allylcysteine) is a dietary supplement with 10 published peer-reviewed studies involving 63 participants, researched for Neuroprotection, Antioxidant & Hepatoprotective Effects, Cardiovascular Effects and 2 more areas.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Neuroprotection
WeakAntioxidant & Hepatoprotective Effects
ModerateCardiovascular Effects
WeakReview & Safety
ModerateCardiovascular & Blood Pressure
ModerateResearch 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.
Neuroprotection
To evaluate S-allylcysteine's neuroprotective effects in a rodent model of Alzheimer's disease.
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To evaluate S-allylcysteine's neuroprotective effects in a rodent model of Alzheimer's disease.
Dose
100 mg/kg SAC orally
Participants
APP/PS1 transgenic Alzheimer's model mice
Duration
3 months
Results
SAC significantly improved spatial memory, reduced amyloid-beta plaque burden (-40%), and suppressed neuroinflammatory markers in hippocampus.
How They Measured It
Morris water maze, amyloid-beta plaque burden, neuroinflammation markers (IL-1beta, TNF-alpha)
To investigate SAC's protection against ischaemic brain injury.
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate SAC's protection against ischaemic brain injury.
Dose
10-50 mg/kg SAC IP
Participants
Rat MCAO model of cerebral ischaemia
Duration
72 hours post-stroke
Results
SAC significantly reduced infarct volume (-45%), improved neurological scores, and decreased ROS and lipid peroxidation in ischaemic tissue.
How They Measured It
Infarct volume, neurological deficit score, oxidative stress markers
To assess SAC's protection of neurons against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity.
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To assess SAC's protection of neurons against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity.
Dose
10-100 µM SAC
Participants
Primary mouse cortical neurons
Duration
24-hour glutamate exposure
Results
SAC significantly protected neurons from glutamate toxicity via Nrf2/HO-1 pathway activation; reduced intracellular ROS and calcium overload.
How They Measured It
Neuronal viability, ROS levels, Nrf2 activation, HO-1 expression
Antioxidant & Hepatoprotective Effects
To evaluate SAC hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol-induced liver injury.
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To evaluate SAC hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol-induced liver injury.
Dose
200 mg/kg SAC orally
Participants
Rat paracetamol-toxicity model
Duration
24 hours
Results
SAC significantly reduced hepatic ALT/AST elevation, restored glutathione levels, and preserved liver architecture.
How They Measured It
Serum ALT, AST, liver histopathology, glutathione levels
To assess SAC (as AGE bioactive) supplementation on antioxidant markers in healthy adults.
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
To assess SAC (as AGE bioactive) supplementation on antioxidant markers in healthy adults.
Dose
2.4 g AGE standardised to 1.2 mg SAC daily
Participants
50 healthy adults
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significant improvement in total antioxidant capacity and reduction in lipid peroxidation markers; SOD and GPx activity enhanced.
How They Measured It
Serum total antioxidant capacity, MDA, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase
Cardiovascular Effects
To investigate SAC's protective effects against atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolaemic rabbits.
Study Type
Animal study
Purpose
To investigate SAC's protective effects against atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolaemic rabbits.
Dose
50 mg/kg SAC orally
Participants
Hypercholesterolaemic rabbit model
Duration
8 weeks
Results
SAC significantly reduced aortic plaque formation (-50%), decreased oxLDL levels, and improved endothelium-dependent vasodilation.
How They Measured It
Aortic plaque area, serum cholesterol, oxLDL levels, endothelial function
To characterise SAC's inhibition of LDL oxidation and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.
Study Type
In vitro study
Purpose
To characterise SAC's inhibition of LDL oxidation and vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation.
Dose
10-100 µM SAC
Participants
Human LDL and VSMC
Duration
Varied
Results
SAC potently inhibited LDL oxidation (IC50 ~30 µM) and suppressed VSMC proliferation through cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase.
How They Measured It
Cu2+-induced LDL oxidation; VSMC proliferation by BrdU incorporation
Review & Safety
To review the pharmacological properties and clinical relevance of SAC from aged garlic extract.
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To review the pharmacological properties and clinical relevance of SAC from aged garlic extract.
Dose
Various
Participants
Multiple studies reviewed
Duration
Review
Results
SAC is the primary bioactive in AGE with well-characterised neuroprotective, antioxidant, cardioprotective, and anti-inflammatory properties; bioavailability superior to most garlic compounds.
How They Measured It
Comprehensive literature synthesis
To characterise the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of SAC in humans.
Study Type
Pharmacokinetic study
Purpose
To characterise the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of SAC in humans.
Dose
Oral SAC 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg (from AGE capsule)
Participants
12 healthy adults
Duration
Single dose and multiple dose
Results
SAC was rapidly absorbed (Tmax ~1 h); bioavailability 98%; primarily metabolised to S-allylmercaptocysteine; no toxicity at tested doses.
How They Measured It
Plasma and urinary SAC by HPLC-MS; cysteine metabolite profiling
Cardiovascular & Blood Pressure
To evaluate antihypertensive effects of an optimized aged garlic extract (containing SAC) in subjects with grade I hypertension.
Study Type
Randomized, Triple-Blind Controlled Trial
Purpose
To evaluate antihypertensive effects of an optimized aged garlic extract (containing SAC) in subjects with grade I hypertension.
Dose
Aged garlic extract 960 mg daily (standardized SAC content)
Participants
Adults with grade I hypertension on antihypertensive medication
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Aged garlic extract significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure and improved arterial stiffness markers compared to placebo.
How They Measured It
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, central blood pressure, pulse wave velocity
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about S-Allylcysteine (SAC) research
There are currently 10 peer-reviewed studies on S-Allylcysteine (SAC) (S-Allylcysteine), involving 63 total participants. Research covers Neuroprotection, Antioxidant protection, Cardiovascular health and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Moderate.
The evidence is currently rated as "Moderate Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (3 human studies), and reported outcomes.
S-Allylcysteine (SAC) has been researched for: Neuroprotection, Antioxidant protection, Cardiovascular health, Anti-inflammatory. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 3 out of 10 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
Similar Supplements
Other supplements researched for similar health goals
