A fingerprinting metabolomic approach reveals deregulation of endogenous metabolites after the intake of a bioactive garlic supplement

Garlic (Allium sativum) has been described as containing phytonutrients with healthy properties. In this study, the effect of a bioactive garlic food supplement intake on human plasma metabolome was examined with the aim of understanding the mechanisms of action and involved pathways responsible for beneficial effects. With this purpose, a dietary intervention assay was performed in thirty healthy volunteers collecting plasma samples before intake and after one month of daily supplement consumption. Plasma samples were analysed by a fingerprinting metabolomic strategy based on HPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS. Our results revealed a total of 26 metabolites affected by supplement intake. In general, alterations in phospholipid metabolism were shown, detecting an increase in lysophosphatidylcholines, lysophosphatidylethanolamines and acylcarnitines. It is also remarkable that the level of four fructosamines decreased after the assay. These results are according with the antioxidant and antiglycation properties that have been previously associated with garlic extracts.