Allium sativum Extract Chemical Composition, Antioxidant Activity and Antifungal Effect against Meyerozyma guilliermondii and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa Causing Onychomycosis

Abstract

Onychomycosis is a major health problem due to its chronicity and resistance to therapy. Because some cases associate paronychia, any therapy must target the fungus and the inflammation. Medicinal plants represent an alternative for onychomycosis control. In the present work the antifungal and antioxidant activities of Alium sativum extract against Meyerozyma guilliermondii (Wick.) Kurtzman & M. Suzuki and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa (A. Jörg.) F.C. Harrison, isolated for the first time from a toenail onychomycosis case, were investigated. The fungal species were confirmed by DNA molecular analysis. A. sativum minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and ultrastructural effects were examined. At the MIC concentration (120 mg/mL) the micrographs indicated severe structural alterations with cell death. The antioxidant properties of the A. sativum extract were evaluated is a rat turpentine oil induced inflammation, and compared to an anti-inflammatory drug, diclofenac, and the main compound from the extract, allicin. A. sativum reduced serum total oxidative status, malondialdehyde and nitric oxide production, and increased total thiols. The effects were comparable to those of allicin and diclofenac. In conclusion, the garlic extract had antifungal effects against M. guilliermondii and R. mucilaginosa, and antioxidant effect in turpentine-induced inflammation. Together, the antifungal and antioxidant activities support that A. sativum is a potential alternative treatment in onychomycosis.

The Synergistic Antitumor Effect of 5-Fluorouracil Combined with Allicin against Lung and Colorectal Carcinoma Cells

“…The main active compound isolated from Allium sativum has many biological effects, which have been demonstrated during the last decades. Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulatory, and antifungal activities have been the study subjects for many research groups [16,36]. A constant intake of allicin via garlic consumption could reduce chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage [37][38][39].…”

“…Allicin was synthesized and characterized as reported in our previous work, and using the Mass Spectrometry (MS) and 1 H, and 13 C NMR analysis, we determined that allicin has a purity of more than 96% [16].…”

“…Allicin, an organosulfur compound that can be isolated from freshly crushed garlic (Allium sativum L.) or obtained by chemical synthesis [15,16], has been shown to possess numerous biological actions, such as anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties [16,17]. Additionally, several studies have reported that allicin represses cancer growth in vitro, including lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, melanoma, and colorectal adenocarcinoma [18,19].…”

Chemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activities of Garlic (Allium sativum L.): A Review

“…Garlic extracts showed a broad spectrum fungicidal effect against a wide range of fungi including Candida, Torulopsis, Trichophyton, Cryptococcus, Aspergillus, Trichosporon, and Rhodotorula species. Recently, garlic extract was found to inhibit the Meyerozyma guilliermondii and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa germination and growth [55]. Another study reported the antifungal activity of various A. sativum extracts namely aqueous, ethanolic, methanolic, and petroleum ether against human pathogenic fungi such are Trichophyton verrucosum, T. mentagrophytes, T. rubrum, Botrytis cinerea, Candida species, Epidermophyton floccosum, Aspergillus niger, A. flavus, Rhizopus stolonifera, Microsporum gypseum, M. audouinii, Alternaria alternate, Neofabraea alba, and Penicillium expansum [56].…”

Phytochemical Analysis and In Vitro Effects of Allium fistulosum L. and Allium sativum L. Extracts on Human Normal and Tumor Cell Lines: A Comparative Study

“…Garlic is one of the most cultivated therapeutical plants [ 4 ]. The studies focused on the curative capacities of garlic highlighted its antioxidative properties [ 5 ], hypoglycemic and cardioprotective effects [ 6 , 7 ], anticancer [ 8 ], antifibrotic [ 9 ], and antifungal properties [ 10 ].…”