In vivo and In vitro Control of Leishmania mexicana due to Garlic‐induced NO Production

Abstract

Leishmania mexicana is the main causal agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Yucatán peninsula in Mexico. Control of this disease is associated with a Th1‐type immune response and garlic extract has been reported as a Th1 immunomodulator in BALB/c mice infected with Leishmania major. In this study, we investigated the effect of garlic extracts on L. mexicana infection in vivo and in vitro. Garlic extract reduced footpad lesions in L. mexicana‐infected BALB/c mice by inducing IFN‐γ production from T cells. In vitro, garlic extract reduced macrophage infection through induction of nitric oxide (NO) production. Garlic extract may thus act on both T cells and macrophages to stimulate IFN‐γ production and NO synthesis for parasite killing. A 10‐ to 14‐kDa fraction was identified as responsible for the in vitro effect of the whole extract and may lead to the identification of novel immunomodulating drugs and therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of leishmaniasis.

Identity of the immunomodulatory proteins from garlic (Allium sativum) with the major garlic lectins or agglutinins

“…An immunomodulatory glycoprotein of ∼14 kD purified from raw garlic was found to augment a delayed-type hypersensitivity response [11] and NK-cell activity in BALB/c mice when administered intraperitoneally [12]; further, the protein fraction was found to augment parasite engulfment and destruction of intracellular parasites by macrophages in vivo [13]. In another study, a 10-14 kD protein fraction was identified as responsible for induction of nitric oxide production, thus promoting the activation of reduced macrophage activity [14]. In all the aforementioned studies, the active components of the protein fraction of garlic possessing an immunomodulatory property have not been clearly defined or characterized.…”

Allicin enhances host pro-inflammatory immune responses and protects against acute murine malaria infection

“…Garlic possesses evident pharmacological properties, such as antimicrobial [16,17], antioxidant [18,19], and anticancer activities [20,21]. Garlic and its components have potent antiparasitic activities against many human and animal parasites [22], such as Leishmania [23,24], Schistosoma [25,26], Trypanosoma , Giardia , Entamoeba [27,28], and Plasmodium [29,30]. Allicin (diallyl thiosulfinate), rapidly converted from allin by allinase in crushed fresh garlic cloves, is a major component and thiosulphinate compound responsible for the biological activity of garlic [31].…”

The acceleration of garlic (Allium sativum L) ethanolic extract on gingival wound healing process in Wistar rats

“…23 Garlic is one of the most ancient vegetables and its medicinal used are dated back more 5,000 years. 24 In Greek, garlic has been used traditionally as pain relief. 14 It also has been used to treat toothache and struma.…”