Garlic supplementation for the treatment of chronic liver disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Abstract

Introduction: The efficacy of garlic supplementation for chronic liver disease remains controversial. We conduct a meta-analysis to explore the influence of garlic supplementation versus placebo on the treatment of chronic liver disease.
 Methods: We have searched PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases through September 2021 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the efficacy of garlic supplementation versus placebo for chronic liver disease. This meta-analysis is performed using the random-effect model.
 Results: Four RCTs and 212 patients are included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with control group for chronic liver disease, garlic supplementation is associated with significantly reduced alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate-aminotransferase (AST), total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) and weight, but demonstrates no substantial impact on the incidence of adverse events.
 Conclusions: Garlic supplementation is effective to treat chronic liver disease.
 Keywords: Garlic; chronic liver disease; randomized controlled trials; meta-analysis.