457
Ajoene was also found to be anti-parasitic and cytostatic and this has been attributed
partly to the inhibition of key enzymes of the metabolism of antioxidant thiol
(Gallwitz et al. 1999).
21.4.5 Anti-Viral Properties
Garlic has been consumed conventionally to manage a number of communicable
diseases (Adetumbi and Lau 1983; Fenwick et al. 1985a). The long-established antiviral utilization of garlic consists of the management of common cold, measles,
chickenpox, and influenza (Fenwick et al. 1985b). A small number of validating
reports have been issued concerning these traditional anti-viral utilizations. It has
been established that garlic extracts had in vitro antiviral activity against Herpes
Simplex Virus (HSV) type 1 and influenza B virus. Immune- mediating activity of
garlic has also been reported in humans and has been stated to improve the activity
of natural killer cells (Kandil et al. 1987; Kandil et al. 1990).
21.4.6 Anti-Fungal Properties
Anti-fungal properties were also observed in some OSCs. Allicin was found to possess strong anti-fungal properties against 12 Candida spp. (Khodavandi et al. 2010).
It was also suggested that the inhibition effect of allicin alone is best read after 24 h
and not after 48 h. In another study, it was found that allicin exerts its anti-fungal
properties within 2–12 h in vitro administration against Aspergillus spp. and it prolongs survival and inhibits fungal loading in mice infected with A. fumigatus
(Shadkchan et al. 2004). Allicin present in essential oils was also found to possess
synergistic anti-fungal activity with ketoconazole against species of Trichophyton
(Pyun and Shin 2006). Allicin was also found to inhibit the production of aflatoxins
in A. parasiticus (Ankri and Mirelman 1999). In addition, pure allicin was also
found to inhibit Microsporum, Cryptococcus, Trichophyton, Candida, and
Epidermophyton (Yamada and Azuma 1977).
Although various literature suggests the potential in vitro anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties are brought about by allicin, in vivo studies suggests that the
effects are brought about by metabolic products due to the instability of allicin
(Lemar et al. 2002). Allyl alcohol, a product of metabolic breakdown of allicin, possess a relatively significant anti-fungal activity against C. albicans (Lemar et al.
2005). Moreover, this compound exerts anti-fungal activity by inducing oxidative
stress in C. albicans. In another study, DADS showed highly effective anti-fungal
activity against C. albicans by triggering oxidative stress (Lemar et al. 2007). DADS
was found to possess inhibition effect against four yeast strains (C. albicans 14053#,
C. albicans 10231#, C. tropicalis, and B. capitatus) where the higher the concentration of DADS, the stronger the anti-fungal properties exhibited (Avato et al. 2000).
21 Health Benefits of Organosulfur Compounds
Ajoene was also found to be anti-parasitic and cytostatic and this has been attributed
partly to the inhibition of key enzymes of the metabolism of antioxidant thiol
(Gallwitz et al. 1999).
21.4.5 Anti-Viral Properties
Garlic has been consumed conventionally to manage a number of communicable
diseases (Adetumbi and Lau 1983; Fenwick et al. 1985a). The long-established antiviral utilization of garlic consists of the management of common cold, measles,
chickenpox, and influenza (Fenwick et al. 1985b). A small number of validating
reports have been issued concerning these traditional anti-viral utilizations. It has
been established that garlic extracts had in vitro antiviral activity against Herpes
Simplex Virus (HSV) type 1 and influenza B virus. Immune- mediating activity of
garlic has also been reported in humans and has been stated to improve the activity
of natural killer cells (Kandil et al. 1987; Kandil et al. 1990).
21.4.6 Anti-Fungal Properties
Anti-fungal properties were also observed in some OSCs. Allicin was found to possess strong anti-fungal properties against 12 Candida spp. (Khodavandi et al. 2010).
It was also suggested that the inhibition effect of allicin alone is best read after 24 h
and not after 48 h. In another study, it was found that allicin exerts its anti-fungal
properties within 2–12 h in vitro administration against Aspergillus spp. and it prolongs survival and inhibits fungal loading in mice infected with A. fumigatus
(Shadkchan et al. 2004). Allicin present in essential oils was also found to possess
synergistic anti-fungal activity with ketoconazole against species of Trichophyton
(Pyun and Shin 2006). Allicin was also found to inhibit the production of aflatoxins
in A. parasiticus (Ankri and Mirelman 1999). In addition, pure allicin was also
found to inhibit Microsporum, Cryptococcus, Trichophyton, Candida, and
Epidermophyton (Yamada and Azuma 1977).
Although various literature suggests the potential in vitro anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties are brought about by allicin, in vivo studies suggests that the
effects are brought about by metabolic products due to the instability of allicin
(Lemar et al. 2002). Allyl alcohol, a product of metabolic breakdown of allicin, possess a relatively significant anti-fungal activity against C. albicans (Lemar et al.
2005). Moreover, this compound exerts anti-fungal activity by inducing oxidative
stress in C. albicans. In another study, DADS showed highly effective anti-fungal
activity against C. albicans by triggering oxidative stress (Lemar et al. 2007). DADS
was found to possess inhibition effect against four yeast strains (C. albicans 14053#,
C. albicans 10231#, C. tropicalis, and B. capitatus) where the higher the concentration of DADS, the stronger the anti-fungal properties exhibited (Avato et al. 2000).
21 Health Benefits of Organosulfur Compounds