Bactericidal Efficacy of Allium sativum (garlic) Against Multidrug Resistant Vibrio cholerae O1 Epidemic Strains

Abstract

In recent years, emerging trend of antibiotic resistance in Vibrio cholerae associated with cholera epidemics is a matter of serious concern for the management of the disease. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics generally results in selection of antibiotic resistant strains. Introduction of newer antibiotics is a challenging task for the researchers as bacteria soon attain resistance. Therefore, identifying natural compounds of medicinal importance for control of cholera would be the best alternative. Garlic (Allium sativum) was recognised for many centuries in early Chinese, Egyptian and Indian civilisations as an herbal or traditional medicine. In present study, garlic was selected for screening of antimicrobial efficacy against V. cholerae. A total of 55 V. cholerae strains isolated from various outbreaks/epidemics were subjected to antimicrobial testing as per CLSI, USA 2010 guidelines. Antimicrobial screening of garlic extract was performed against all the multidrug resistant strains of V. cholerae. The garlic extracts showed antibacterial activity against all the V. cholerae strains tested, irrespective of their origin, multidrug resistance and virulence. Antibacterial efficacy of garlic on V. cholerae was also evident from in vivo study on sealed adult mice model. Thus, the Garlic extract harnesses the potential to control infection of multidrug resistant V. cholerae, especially in outbreak like situations in remote and under developed areas where drug supply itself is a challenge.

Immune System and Epidemics: The Role of African Indigenous Bioactive Substances

“…The inhibition of adhesive interaction and fusion of leukocytes with ajoenes; inhibiting the synthesis of thiol enzymes by allicin; and the enhancement of natural killer-cell activity through the destruction of cells infected by viruses’ diallyl trisulfide on human cytomegalovirus are a few mechanisms of garlic’s action [ 147 , 155 ]. Finally, allicin has a wide range of activities against many bacterial organisms, including K. aerogenes , E. faecalis , S. enterica , E. coli , S. pyogenes , S. mutans , Mycobacteria , Shigella , P. vulgaris , and P. aeruginosa [ 137 , 149 , 156 , 157 , 158 , 159 ]. The ability of garlic to inhibit NF-kB and modulate cytokine expression makes it an immunomodulatory and effective plant for pandemics in Africa.…”

“…The ability of garlic to inhibit NF-kB and modulate cytokine expression makes it an immunomodulatory and effective plant for pandemics in Africa. Finally, prostaglandin-E2, COX-2, and nitric oxide production inhibition lead to a significant reduction in the synthesis of inflammatory interferon γ, interleukin-6, and TNF- α with garlic [ 159 ].…”