Evidence supporting the use of: Garlic bulb
For the health condition: Diabetic Retinopathy

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Garlic (Allium sativum) has a long history of use in traditional medicine for a variety of ailments, primarily due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vascular protective properties. In the context of diabetic retinopathy, a diabetes-related microvascular complication leading to vision loss, some scientific studies have investigated the potential of garlic and its bioactive constituents (such as allicin and S-allyl cysteine) to ameliorate diabetes-induced retinal damage. Preclinical studies in diabetic animal models have demonstrated that garlic supplementation may reduce oxidative stress, inhibit the formation of advanced glycation end-products, and improve retinal blood flow, which are all factors implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. Additionally, garlic has shown potential in lowering blood glucose and improving lipid profiles, which might indirectly benefit retinal health in diabetic individuals.

However, robust clinical trials in humans specifically addressing the efficacy of garlic in treating or preventing diabetic retinopathy are lacking. Most available data are limited to in vitro studies or animal experiments, with only a few small-scale human studies evaluating garlic's effects on general diabetic complications rather than retinopathy specifically. Consequently, while the mechanistic rationale and preliminary animal data are promising, clinical evidence remains insufficient. Therefore, garlic's use for diabetic retinopathy is supported by some scientific investigation, but the evidence strength is modest, meriting a rating of 2/5.

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