Potent antifungal activity of garlic (Allium sativum) against experimental murine disseminated cryptococcosis

The adequate management of cryptococcosis is difficult with the available armamentarium of synthetic antifungals. We made an effort to evaluate fresh extracts of garlic (Allium sativum L.) to assess potential therapeutic use of this herb as an anticryptococcal agent. The in vitro antifungal activity in broth showed greatest activity in the aqueous extract (MIC 125-250 mu g/ml; MFC 250 to greater than or equal to 500 mu g/ml) compared to the alcoholic, crude or commercial extracts. Treatment of Balb/c mice with garlic extracts in mice (orally) showed that alcoholic extracts (5 mg/kg, q.i.d.) provided 100% protection of mice against disseminated cryptococcosis. A concomitant increase in MST (> 35 days) was observed, along with a significant reduction in cfu (log(10)) burden of cryptococci in visceral (liver, spleen, kidney, lung and heart) tissues, especially brain (>4.5 log(10)). The efficacy of extracts was also evident in the sera of mice. Thus, alcoholic extracts of fresh garlic elicit potential anticryptococcal activity against murine disseminated cryptococcosis.