title: Antibacterial activity of allicin alone and in combination with beta-lactams against Staphylococcus spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
abstract: 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 (MIC90>512 microg/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 MIC90 values of cefazolin, oxicillin, and cefoperazone were reduced by 4 approximately 128, 32 approximately 64, and 8 approximately 16 fold, respectively. Thus, allicin-beta-lactam combinations offer promise of clinical utility especially if synergism is demonstrated by in vivo experimental studies.
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pei
authors.forename: Bei-Bei
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Liang
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002437:Cefazolin / Q000494:pharmacology; D002438:Cefoperazone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004220:Disulfides; D004357:Drug Synergism; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010068:Oxacillin / Q000494:pharmacology; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects*; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000187:drug effects*; D013441:Sulfinic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D047090:beta-Lactams / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004220:Disulfides; D013441:Sulfinic Acids; D047090:beta-Lactams; C006452:allicin; D002438:Cefoperazone; D002437:Cefazolin; D010068:Oxacillin