[Ajoene the main active compound of garlic (Allium sativum): a new antifungal agent].
The curative properties of garlic in medicine have been known for a long time. But, it was only in the last three decades when garlic properties were seriously investigated confirming its potential as therapeutic agent. Allicin, ajoene, thiosulfinates and a wide range of other organosulphurate compounds, are known to be the constituents linked to the garlic properties. Regarding the biochemical properties of these compounds, ajoene [(E,Z)-4,5,9 Trithiadodeca 1,6,11 Triene 9-oxide] is stable in water, and it can be obtained by chemical synthesis. There is evidence that some of the garlic constituents exert a wide variety of effects on different biological systems. However, ajoene is the garlic compound related to more biological activities, as showed in in vitro and in vivo systems. Those studies found that ajoene has antithrombotic, anti-tumoral,antifungal, and antiparasitic effects. This study deals with a recently described antifungal property of ajoene, and its potential use in clinical trails to treat several fungal infections.
Ledezma
Eliades
E
Departamento de Ciencias Fisiológicas, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Oriente, Núcleo Anzoátegui, Puerto la Cruz, Venezuela. eliadesl@yahoo.es
Apitz-Castro
Rafael
R
D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004220:Disulfides / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015725:Fluconazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005658:Fungi / Q000187:drug effects; D005737:Garlic / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy; D013441:Sulfinic Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013454:Sulfoxides; D000077291:Terbinafine; D014005:Tinea / Q000188:drug therapy
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D004220:Disulfides; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D009281:Naphthalenes; D013441:Sulfinic Acids; D013454:Sulfoxides; C006452:allicin; D015725:Fluconazole; C048980:ajoene; D000077291:Terbinafine