Journal of Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences

  The Effect of Different Concentrations of Methanol and Aqueous Extracts of Garlic on Opportunistic Fungi Sporothrix Schenckii, Cryptococcus Neoformans and Candida Albicans

  S.A. Ayatollahi Mousavi [1] , M. Mehrabian [2] , B. Yaghmai [3]

  Received: 29/04/07 Sent for Revision: 10/09/07 Received Revised Manuscript: 19/11/08 Accepted: 30/11/08

  Background and Objective: The curative properties of garlic in medicine have been known for a long time. However, it was only in the last three decades when garlic properties were seriously investigated confirming its potential as therapeutic medicine. The aim of this study was to measure the MIC of aqueous and methanolic extracts of garlic and to compare them with ketoconazole as positive control.

  Materials and Methods: In this laboratory study, the fresh smelly bulb of garlic was cleaned, skined, dryed and powdered. Garlic powder was solved in 80% methanol and distilled water. This yellow solution remained in the lab for 4 days. After that the stimmed, filtered and concentrated solution was kept remained inside the pipet in oven for 48h in 50ºC to make dry extract. Then methanol and aqueous dilutions (0.625 mg/ml, 1.25 mg/ml 2.5 mg/ml, 5 mg/ml, 10mg/ml and 20 mg/ml) were prepared separately from 200mg powder of the concentrated extracts of garlic. Three strains of dermatophytes were cultured on the media which contained different dilutions.

  Results: This experimental study showed that the rate of the effect of the aqueous extracts of garlic on Sporothrix schenckii in the minimum dilution (0.625mg/ml) was 8% and in the maximum dilution (20mg/ml) was 100%. This rate in methanol extract on the same fungus was 25% and 100% in 10mg/ml dilution, respectively. The amounts of the effects of extracts on Candida albicans were 17% in the minimum dilution and 100% in 10% dilution. The effect of this plant on Cryptococcus neoformans was more than our expectation, because the amount of MIC in all dilutions was close to its minimum dilution (0.625mg/ml).

  Conclusion: As the effects of the garlic extracts were the same or even more than ketoconazole, and also regarding the side effects of the synthetic drugs, the use of herbs as useful drugs are necessary.

  Key Words: Allium sativum, Sporothrix schenckii, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans

  Funding: This research was funded by Kerman University of Medical Sciences.

  Conflict of Interest: None declared.

  Ethical Approval: Kerman Medical University Ethical Committee approved the study.

  [1] - Associated Prof., Dept. of Clinical Mycology, University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

  (Corresponding Author) Tel: (341) 3221661, Fax: (341) 3221676, E-mail: aminayatollahi@kmu.ac.ir

  [2] - Medical Student, University of Rafsanjan, Rafsajan , Iran

  [3] - Professor of Clinical Biochemistry, Medical University of Shahid Beheshti, Tehran , Iran