[iko (OP)]

Hi PhDee,

thanks for your contribution.  Only now I read your 2006 notes too, unfortunately I missed them in my extensive 'rounds' through this forum. I will be more careful, in the future, searching the forum (it is soooo easy!) while posting specific stuff like MRSA-bugs.
I stick this recent report from Korea (just the abstract) about MRSA and an essential oil, even if it has nothing to do with garlic.

The antimicrobial activity of essential oil from Dracocephalum foetidum against pathogenic microorganisms.

Lee SB, Cha KH, Kim SN, Altantsetseg S, Shatar S, Sarangerel O, Nho CW.
Natural Products Research Center, KIST Gangneung Institute, Gangneung Techno Valley, Gangneung, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea.

A number of essential oils from Mongolian aromatic plants are claimed to have antimicrobial activities. The essential oil of Dracocephalum foetidum, a popular essential oil used in Mongolian traditional medicine, was examined for its antimicrobial activity. Eight human pathogenic microorganisms including B. subtilis, S. aureus, M. lutens, E. hirae, S. mutans, E. coli, C. albicans, and S. cerevisiae were examined. The essential oil of Dracocephalum foetidum exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against most of the pathogenic bacteria and yeast strains that were tested; by both the agar diffusion method and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assay (MIC range was 26-2592 microg/ml). Interestingly, Dracocephalum foetidum even showed antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains. We also analyzed the chemical composition of the oil by GC-MS and identified several major components, including n-Mentha-1,8-dien-10-al, limonene, geranial, and neral.

J Microbiol. 2007 Feb;45(1):53-7.

herbal news:  http://www.env.pmis.gov.mn/Plants/eplant/pl72.htm

[iko (OP)]

Iko...would you like me to move the original garlic thread here ?

Thanks me friendos,

I just moved reports and abstracts here,
leaving the entertaining "bagna cauda"
sort of thing down there in Guest Book.
I meant to keep it more scientific here.

ikod

Ajoene (natural garlic compound): a new anti-leukaemia agent for AML therapy.

Hassan HT.
The reputation of garlic (Allium sativum) as an effective remedy for tumours extends back to the Egyptian Codex Ebers of 1550 b.c. Several garlic compounds including allicin and its corresponding sulfide inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of several human non-leukaemia malignant cells including breast, bladder, colorectal, hepatic, prostate cancer, lymphoma and skin tumour cell lines. Ajoene (4,5,9-trithiadodeca-1,6,11-triene-9-oxide) is a garlic-derived compound produced most efficiently from pure allicin and has the advantage of a greater chemical stability than allicin. Several clinical trials and in vitro studies of ajoene have demonstrated its best-known anti-thrombosis, anti-microbial and cholesterol lowering activities. Recently, topic application of ajoene has produced significant clinical response in patients with skin basal cell carcinoma. Ajoene was shown to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of several human leukaemia CD34-negative cells including HL-60, U937, HEL and OCIM-1. Also, ajoene induces 30% apoptosis in myeloblasts from chronic myeloid leukaemia patient in blast crisis. More significantly, ajoene profoundly enhanced the apoptotic effect of the two chemotherapeutic drugs: cytarabine and fludarabine in human CD34-positive resistant myeloid leukaemia cells through enhancing their bcl-2 inhibitory and caspase-3 activation activities. The two key anti-leukaemia biological actions of ajoene were the inhibition of proliferation and the induction of apoptosis. Studies have shown the anti-proliferation activity of ajoene to be associated with a block in the G2/M phase of cell cycle in human myeloid leukaemia cells. The apoptosis inducing activity of ajoene is via the mitochondria-dependent caspase cascade through a significant reduction of the anti-apoptotic bcl-2 that results in release of cytochrome c and the activation of caspase-3. Since acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a heterogeneous malignant disease in which disease progression at the level of CD34-positive cells has a major impact on resistance to chemotherapy and relapse and the inability to undergo apoptosis is a crucial mechanism of multi-drug resistance in AML patients. The recent findings of the potent enhancing activity of ajoene on chemotherapy-induced apoptosis in CD34-positive resistant human myeloid leukaemia cells suggest a novel promising role for the treatment of refractory and/or relapsed AML patients as well as elderly AML patients. Further studies are warranted to evaluate similar enhancing effect for ajoene in blast cells from AML patients in primary cultures before its introduction in pilot clinical study.

Leuk Res. 2004 Jul;28(7):667-71.

[iko (OP)]

Antibacterial Activity of Allicin Alone and in Combination with beta-Lactams
against Staphylococcus spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Cai Y, Wang R, Pei F, Liang BB.
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, The PLA General Hospital.

Allicin is one of the most effective compounds isolated from garlic showing antibacterial activity. Determination of MIC alone or in combination with cefazolin/oxacillin against Staphylococcus spp. or with cefoperazone against Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed that allicin alone did not have good antibacterial activity (MIC(90) >512 mug/ml) but it facilitated antibacterial activity of all three beta-lactams tested at subinhibitory concentrations. In the presence of 1/8 to 1/2 the MIC of allicin, the MIC(90) values of cefazolin, oxicillin, and cefoperazone were reduced by 4~128, 32~64, and 8~16 fold, respectively. Thus, allicin-beta-lactam combinations offer promise of clinical utility especially if synergism is demonstrated by in vivo experimental studies.

J Antibiot (Tokyo). 2007 May;60(5):335-8.

[Karen W.]

Nice information Iko.. I think me will increase me consumption of Garlic! I love it anyways!

[iko (OP)]

If you can read Turkish...there is a free full-text link for this review!

http://www.tparazitolderg.org/text.php3?id=258

[Garlic (Allium sativum) and traditional medicine.][Article in Turkish]

Ayaz E, Alpsoy HC.
Uludağ Ãœniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Parazitoloji Anabilim Dalı, Görükle, Bursa, Turkey.

Medicinal plants such as thyme, onion, blackseed, lemon balm and nettle are intensively used in traditional medicine, today. Garlic is among the most important of these plants. For this purpose, garlic has been extensively used worldwide for centuries, especially in the Far East. Garlic is reported to be a wonderful medicinal plant owing to its preventive characteristics in cardiovascular diseases, regulating blood pressure, lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels, effective against bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections, enhancing the immune system and having antitumoral and antioxidant features. Garlic exerts these effects thanks to more than 200 chemicals. It contains sulfur compounds (allicin, alliin and agoene), volatile oils, enzymes (allinase, peroxidase and miracynase), carbohydrates (sucrose and glucose), minerals (selenium), amino acids such as cysteine, glutamine, isoleucine and methionine which help to protect cells from the harms of free radicals, bioflavonoids such as quercetin and cyanidin, allistatin I and allistatin II, and vitamins C, E and A which help to protect us from oxidation agents and free radicals, and other vitamins such as niacin, B1 and B2 and beta-carotene. In this article, the information about the characteristics of garlic, the diseases on which it is effective and its use against parasitic diseases will be given.

Turkiye Parazitol Derg. 2007;31(2):145-149.

 

http://static1.bareka.com/photos/medium/55504/muradiye-camii-bursa.jpg
http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/Arts/Architec/MiddleAgesArchitectural/IslamicArchitecture/MosquesAroundTheWorld/Europe/BursaTurkey/Turkeybursa.jpg

[Heronumber0]

Brilliant stuff here. I don't doubt the efficacy of the Science. However a question comes to mind - what dosage of allicin is needed for those miraculous antibacterial or anti-cancer effects? And, how many tablets of garlic available from the chemists does that correspond to? i think what I am saying is about the transfer of in vitro science to in vivo studies and the amount of allicin in commercially available garlic tablets from the supermarket.

[iko (OP)]

Hi Heronumber0,

of course those are good questions; I think that most of the work has still to be done to follow our strict scientific standards for clinical investigation. 
Plenty of experimental studies in animals are already available in the medical literature.
As far as anti-infectious applications are concerned, the recent data from the U.K. group of investigators -previously reported here- could be directly used by other teams.
Chinese doctors may offer help and experience.  A bone marrow transplant team in Beijing reported the use of garlic preparations against CMV and other infections, suggesting positive effects.
In my personal opinion,  the whole issue might easily go on being neglected for the years to come. 
No patent, no funding, no research, no result: everything slows down.
Maybe.

ikoD

Brilliant stuff here. I don't doubt the efficacy of the Science. However a question comes to mind - what dosage of allicin is needed for those miraculous antibacterial or anti-cancer effects? And, how many tablets of garlic available from the chemists does that correspond to? i think what I am saying is about the transfer of in vitro science to in vivo studies and the amount of allicin in commercially available garlic tablets from the supermarket.

P.S.
The aim of this thread is not to claim miracle effects, but further help in standard treatments.
I probably exaggerated in saying that this issue is neglected:

Garlic              = 2699citations on PubMed today
Garlic and cancer   = 478
Curcumin and cancer = 725
cod liver oil and leukemia = 1

[Heronumber0]

Thanks for that iko. Do you think 6 tablets/capsules with a concentration of garlic extract at 200mg/ml (approximately) taken 6 times a day would be sufficient to keep systemic allicin levels high enough?

[iko (OP)]

As I mentioned before, there is not enough information
about garlic preparations, dosages and treatment protocols.
I am no expert whatsoever: I post these reports to let you
know that something good may hide behind these simple old-
fashioned remedies.
If you want to give it a try, it's up to you to find out
proper information and go...under your full responsability.

Here we may discuss whether these reports are consistent
enough, have other scientific contributions from NKSmembers,
make this issue a bit less neglected.

ikoD

[Heronumber0]

I'm not trying to pressure you ikoD, I just wondered if we would receive enough allicin from taking garlic supplements on a daily basis. Thank you for posting real data and that is very valuable to make a balanced judgement. Keep on posting because this stuff really interests me.

Of course if I start to take on garlic treatment I will take full responsibility for it. I think we have to consider the active ingredient allicin in the garlic pills and they probably differ depending on the method of preparation.  I will have to get off my backside and do my own research.

Thanks for your answer

[iko (OP)]

I'm not trying to pressure you ikoD, I just wondered if we would receive enough allicin from taking garlic supplements on a daily basis. Thank you for posting real data and that is very valuable to make a balanced judgement. Keep on posting because this stuff really interests me.

Of course if I start to take on garlic treatment I will take full responsibility for it. I think we have to consider the active ingredient allicin in the garlic pills and they probably differ depending on the method of preparation.  I will have to get off my backside and do my own research.

Thanks for your answer

Hi Heronumber0,

Thanks for your encouraging reply.
Voilà garlic people!
This is quite recent stuff
about allicin from Israel:

The antiatherogenic effect of allicin: possible mode of action.

Gonen A, Harats D, Rabinkov A, Miron T, Mirelman D, Wilchek M, Weiner L, Ulman E, Levkovitz H, Ben-Shushan D, Shaish A.
Institute of Lipid and Atherosclerosis Research, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.

OBJECTIVE: Garlic (Allium sativum) has been suggested to affect several cardiovascular risk factors. Its antiatherosclerotic properties are mainly attributed to allicin that is produced upon crushing of the garlic clove. Most previous studies used various garlic preparations in which allicin levels were not well defined. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of pure allicin on atherogenesis in experimental mouse models.
METHODS AND RESULTS: Daily dietary supplement of allicin, 9 mg/kg body weight, reduced the atherosclerotic plaque area by 68.9 and 56.8% in apolipoprotein E-deficient and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor knockout mice, respectively, as compared with control mice. LDL isolated from allicin-treated groups was more resistant to CuSO(4)-induced oxidation ex vivo than LDL isolated from control mice. Incubation of mouse plasma with (3)H-labeled allicin showed binding of allicin to lipoproteins. By using electron spin resonance, we demonstrated reduced Cu(2+) binding to LDL following allicin treatment. LDL treatment with allicin significantly inhibited both native LDL and oxidized LDL degradation by isolated mouse macrophages.

CONCLUSIONS: By using a pure allicin preparation, we were able to show that allicin may affect atherosclerosis not only by acting as an antioxidant, but also by other mechanisms, such as lipoprotein modification and inhibition of LDL uptake and degradation by macrophages.

Pathobiology. 2005;72(6):325-34.



click down here for alliin formula and cooking properties of garlic:
http://www.chemistryland.com/CHM107/EarlyChemistry/PreservationChemistry/PreservationChemistryQuestions.html

http://www.chemistryland.com/CHM107/EarlyChemistry/PreservationChemistry/AllicinFinal.jpg

[Andrew K Fletcher]

Iko, I enjoyed reading about garlic and having used it for many years to combat bugs anti mosquito replant, de worming, and de fleeing dogs along with many other uses it does make one think why nothing has been done to test this amazing vegetable further. The use as an affective wart treatment suggests it’s antifungal and antiviral properties may be far reaching.

I love to eat wild garlic flowers and stems while walking my dogs that aromatic smell fills the whole of the woodland, and the dogs are partial to the odd mouthful also. I very often push a clove of garlic into the flowerbeds, this helps to get rid of pesky critters and provides me with a free source of garlic J

Andrew

[iko (OP)]

Iko, I enjoyed reading about garlic and having used it for many years to combat bugs anti mosquito replant, de worming, and de fleeing dogs along with many other uses it does make one think why nothing has been done to test this amazing vegetable further. The use as an affective wart treatment suggests it’s antifungal and antiviral properties may be far reaching.

I love to eat wild garlic flowers and stems while walking my dogs that aromatic smell fills the whole of the woodland, and the dogs are partial to the odd mouthful also. I very often push a clove of garlic into the flowerbeds, this helps to get rid of pesky critters and provides me with a free source of garlic J

Andrew

Hi Andrew,

I'm glad that you're interested in these garlic notes.
You're right, some more scientific effort towards this issue would be appreciated.  Nevertheless, something has been done and properly reported, more stuff will come in the near future.
We (garlic supporters) are ready to celebrate!
Take care

ikod   [^]

[iko (OP)]

Enhancement of the fungicidal activity of amphotericin B by allicin,
an allyl-sulfur compound from garlic, against the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model system.

Ogita A, Fujita K, Taniguchi M, Tanaka T.
Institute for Health and Sport Sciences, Osaka City University, 3-3-138 Sugimo-to, Sumiyoshi-ku, Osaka 558-8585, Japan.

Amphotericin B (AmB) is a representative antibiotic for the control of serious fungal infections, and its fungicidal activity was greatly enhanced by allicin, an allyl-sulfur compound from garlic. In addition to the plasma membrane permeability change, AmB induced vacuole membrane damage so that the organelles were visible as small discrete particles. Although allicin was ineffective in promoting AmB-induced plasma membrane disability, this compound enhanced AmB-induced structural damage to the vacuolar membrane even at a non-lethal dose of the antibiotic. Allicin could also enhance the antifungal activity of AmB against the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans and against Aspergillus fumigatus. In contrast, allicin did not enhance the cytotoxic activity of AmB against cells of human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60), a vacuole-less organism.

Planta Med. 2006 Oct;72(13):1247-50. Epub 2006 Aug 10.

[Gurugirl]

What is the best brand of garlic to get that doesn't taste and make you burp garlic?

[iko (OP)]

What is the best brand of garlic to get that doesn't taste and make you burp garlic?

Hi Gurugirl,

I have no idea. Commercial garlic pills are from so many brands...it's up to you to choose and trust the producer.  Not exactly 100% sure, but I knew that most active substances are sulphur compounds and smelly: so, no smell no good!
Maybe.

ikoD  [)]

 

http://www.mosesong.com/blog_images/07_02_10_garlic3.jpg
http://www.astigiano.com/images/ricette/bagnacaoda.gif

[iko (OP)]

...talking about garlic and 'kitchen medicine'...

Curcumin as "Curecumin": From kitchen to clinic.

Goel A, Kunnumakkara AB, Aggarwal BB.
Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Internal Medicine, Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center and Baylor Research Institute, Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas, TX, United States.

Although turmeric (Curcuma longa; an Indian spice) has been described in Ayurveda, as a treatment for inflammatory diseases and is referred by different names in different cultures, the active principle called curcumin or diferuloylmethane, a yellow pigment present in turmeric (curry powder) has been shown to exhibit numerous activities. Extensive research over the last half century has revealed several important functions of curcumin. It binds to a variety of proteins and inhibits the activity of various kinases. By modulating the activation of various transcription factors, curcumin regulates the expression of inflammatory enzymes, cytokines, adhesion molecules, and cell survival proteins. Curcumin also downregulates cyclin D1, cyclin E and MDM2; and upregulates p21, p27, and p53. Various preclinical cell culture and animal studies suggest that curcumin has potential as an antiproliferative, anti-invasive, and antiangiogenic agent; as a mediator of chemoresistance and radioresistance; as a chemopreventive agent; and as a therapeutic agent in wound healing, diabetes, Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease, and arthritis. Pilot phase I clinical trials have shown curcumin to be safe even when consumed at a daily dose of 12g for 3 months. Other clinical trials suggest a potential therapeutic role for curcumin in diseases such as familial adenomatous polyposis, inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis, colon cancer, pancreatic cancer, hypercholesteremia, atherosclerosis, pancreatitis, psoriasis, chronic anterior uveitis and arthritis. Thus, curcumin, a spice once relegated to the kitchen shelf, has moved into the clinic and may prove to be "Curecumin".

Biochem Pharmacol. 2007 Aug 19;

[iko (OP)]

Garlic news...

High-Garlic Diet Can Help Heart Performance And Chances Of Avoiding Cancer

Monday October 22, 2007
CityNews.ca Staff

Sure it can make your breath smell like something awful, but scientific research suggests a healthy daily helping of garlic can go do a lot when it comes to helping your health.

The foremost effects are on the heart, where garlic boosts the body's supply of hydrogen sulfide, which protects one of the most important organs.

"Garlic actually relaxes blood cells, so the vessels and the blood cells become more plastic and more elastic," said Jennifer Sygo, a registered dietician with the Cleveland Clinic.

But it's not just good for the heart. A garlic-rich diet can protect against breast, prostate and colon cancer, medical experts suggest.

The bad news is that in order to get the full health benefits should be eaten raw, but if you or others can't stand the smell on your breath, the second best way is to crush it before cooking, which releases the food's healthy compounds.

Unfortunately though, when it comes to garlic, a little doesn't go a long way. Experts suggest a total of two cloves a day are needed to make noticeable improvements in one's diet, a smelly sacrifice not many are willing to make.

more from:  http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_15994.aspx

[iko (OP)]

Antisocial effects compensated by anti-Alzheimer properties?

Anti-amyloidogenic activity of S-allyl-l-cysteine and its activity to destabilize Alzheimer's beta-amyloid fibrils in vitro.

Gupta VB, Rao KS.
Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore 570020, India.

Alzheimer's disease involves Abeta accumulation, oxidative damage and inflammation and there is currently no clinically accepted treatment to stop its progression. Its risk is known to reduce with increased consumption of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents. Fibrillar aggregates of Abeta are major constituents of the senile plaques found in the brains of AD patients and have been related to AD neurotoxicity. It is reported that SAC (S-allyl-l-cysteine), a water-soluble organosulfur component present in garlic is known to prevent cognitive decline by protecting neurons from Abeta induced neuronal apoptosis. Hence, we investigated the effects of SAC on Abeta aggregation by employing Thioflavin-T, transmission electron microscopy, SDS-PAGE, size exclusion-HPLC. Under aggregating conditions in vitro, SAC dose-dependently inhibited Abeta fibrillation and also destabilized preformed Abeta fibrils. Further, Circular dichroism and fluorescence quenching studies supported the binding ability of SAC to Abeta and inducing a partially folded conformation in Abeta. The 3D structure of Abeta-SAC complex was also predicted employing automated docking studies.

Neurosci Lett. 2007 Sep 29 [Epub ahead of print]

Garlic Festival 2003.

http://karribellydancer.com/photoGallery/garlicFestival1.jpg
http://karribellydancer.com/Garlic%20Festival.html

[iko (OP)]

A definitive role in supportive treatment in oncology is far away to come...

S-Allylcysteine reduces breast tumor cell adhesion and invasion.

Gapter LA, Yuin OZ, Ng KY.
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, National University of Singapore, 18 Science Drive 4, Building S4, Singapore 117543, Republic of Singapore.

Previous studies show that aqueous garlic extract and its derivatives (e.g. S-allylcysteine [SAC]) prevent carcinogen-induced breast tumorigenesis.
However, investigations testing the effect of SAC on later stages of breast tumorigenesis and/or metastasis have produced mixed results. Here we show that SAC significantly reduced anchorage-dependent and -independent growth of MDA-MB-231 breast tumor cells in a dose- and time-dependent fashion, and sub-lethal SAC-treatment altered mammary tumor cell adhesion and invasion through components of the extracellular matrix. We provide evidence to suggest increased expression of E-cadherin and reduced MMP-2 expression and activity are partially responsible for inhibition of mammary tumor cell invasion by SAC. Because E-cadherin and MMP-2 are important in cancer metastasis, these results suggest a link between SAC induction of E-cadherin and reduction of MMP2 activity with the inhibition of cell motility and invasion; thus providing evidence that events leading to breast cancer metastasis are repressed by sub-lethal SAC-treatment.

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2008 Jan 9 [Epub ahead of print]