|
 |
| PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDY |
|
| Year : 2013 | Volume
: 34
| Issue : 4 | Page : 445-451 |
|
|
An in-vitro evaluation of the efficacy of garlic extract as an antimicrobial agent on periodontal pathogens: A microbiological study
Sunaina Shetty1, Biju Thomas2, Veena Shetty3, Rahul Bhandary4, Raghavendra M Shetty5
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontics, Chhattisgarh Dental College and Research Institute, Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, India
2 Professor and Head, Department of Periodontics, A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
3 Professor, Department of Microbiology, A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
4 Professor, Department of Periodontics, A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, Mangalore, Karnataka, India
5 Professor, Department of Pedodontics, Chhattisgarh Dental College and Research Institute, Rajnandgaon, Chhattisgarh, India
| Date of Web Publication | 21-Feb-2014 |
Correspondence Address:
Sunaina Shetty
Department of Periodontics, Chhattisgarh Dental College and Research Institute, Rajnandgaon - 491 441,
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0974-8520.127732
 Abstract | | |
With the rise in bacterial resistance to antibiotics, there is considerable interest in the development of other classes of antimicrobials for the control of infection. Garlic (Allium sativum Linn.) has been used as medicine since ancient times and has long been known to have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. This study was undertaken to assess the inhibitory effect of garlic on Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, to assess the time-kill curve of P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans, and to determine the antiproteolytic activity of garlic on P. gingivalis. Ethanolic garlic extract (EGE) and aqueous garlic extract (AGE) were prepared and the inhibitory effects of these extracts for two periodontal pathogens (P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans) were tested. Antiproteolytic activity on protease of P. gingivalis was determined. 25 microliter (μl), 50 μl, and 75 μl of AGE showed 16 mm, 20 mm, and 25 mm zone of inhibition, respectively, on P. gingivalis. The AGE showed greater bacteriostatic activity against the P. gingivalis with minimum inhibitory concentration determined at 16.6 μl/ml. The time-kill assay of AGE and EGE were compared for P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans. AGE showed better antiproteolytic activity on total protease of P. gingivalis compared to the EGE. Thus, the study concludes the antimicrobial activity of garlic extract against periodontal pathogens, P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans. Its action against P. gingivalis includes inhibition of total protease activity, and this raises the possibility that garlic may have therapeutic use for periodontitis and possibly other oral infections. Keywords: Aggregatibacter Actinomycetemcomitans , antimicrobial, garlic, Porphyromonas gingivalis
How to cite this article:
Shetty S, Thomas B, Shetty V, Bhandary R, Shetty RM. An in-vitro evaluation of the efficacy of garlic extract as an antimicrobial agent on periodontal pathogens: A microbiological study. AYU 2013;34:445-51 |
How to cite this URL:
Shetty S, Thomas B, Shetty V, Bhandary R, Shetty RM. An in-vitro evaluation of the efficacy of garlic extract as an antimicrobial agent on periodontal pathogens: A microbiological study. AYU [serial online] 2013 [cited 2023 May 30];34:445-51. Available from: https://www.ayujournal.org/text.asp?2013/34/4/445/127732 |
| Introduction | |  |
The accumulation and maturation of bacterial plaque at the gingival margin is widely recognized as the primary etiological factor in the development of chronic periodontitis. [1] Human oral cavity is inhabited by more than 500 species of bacteria at 10 8 -10 9 bacteria per milligram of dental plaque. A distinct difference exists between composition of supragingival and subgingival plaque. [2] Supragingival plaque exhibits accumulation of predominantly Gram-positive cocci, whereas subgingival plaque is characterized by flora predominated by Gram-negative anaerobic bacilli such as Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A. actinomycetemcomitans), and Fusobacterium nucleatum and have shown to be associated with the onset and progression of periodontal disease. [3]
The most important goal of periodontal therapy is to reduce or eliminate the subgingival microorganisms associated with periodontal disease and to maintain the periodontal health. The current treatment for gingivitis and periodontitis is directed at disruption of plaque maturation and/or reduction of the bacterial load which usually includes professional and homecare mechanical methods for the removal of plaque. [3] Scaling and root planning is a traditional method that has been shown to be an effective treatment for chronic periodontitis. Although mechanical treatment significantly decreases the prevalence and levels of subgingival microorganisms, it does not necessarily eliminate all pathogens. Also, as the probing depth increases, the effectiveness of scaling and root planning decreases, leaving subgingival plaque and calculus on root surfaces. It has been shown that only pockets of less than 3 mm in depth can be maintained plaque-free by home care. Regular professional non-surgical care is required to maintain the stability of deeper pockets over the years. [4] To overcome these problems, surgical procedure, local and systemic antibiotics have been employed to facilitate the elimination of subgingival micro flora. [3]
Systemic antibiotics can be used along or in conjunction with conventional therapy to retard bacterial proliferation, but their prolonged use can result in the development of resistant strains.
With the rise in bacterial resistance to antibiotics, there is considerable interest in the development of other classes of antimicrobials for the control of infection. Garlic (Allium sativum L.) has been used as medicine since ancient times and has long been known to have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. [5] It has been suggested that development of resistance to allicin arises 1000-fold less easily than it does to certain antibiotics. [6] Garlic, has been widely recognized as a valuable spice and a popular remedy for various ailments and physiological disorders. It is cultivated practically throughout the world, appears to have originated in Central Asia and then spread to China, and the Mediterranean region before moving west to Central and Southern Europe, Northern Africa (Egypt), and Mexico. [7]
Indeed, allicin and garlic extract have been shown to have a wide spectrum antibacterial activity, including effects on Escherichia, Salmonella, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Klebsiella, Proteus, Clostridium, Mycobacterium, and Helicobacter species. [8],[9]
In addition, certain oral streptococci and lactobacilli have been shown to be sensitive to garlic extract and a mouth wash containing garlic extract was more effective at reducing the total salivary bacterial count and the mutans streptococcal count. [10],[11] However, there are no specific data on the effect of garlic on oral gram negative species and none on its effect on their enzymes. Hence, the present study was undertaken to assess the inhibitory effect of garlic on P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans, to assess the time-kill curve of on P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans, and to determine the antiproteolytic activity of garlic on P. gingivalis.
| Materials and Methods | | |
Preparation of garlic extract
Uniform homogenized paste of fresh garlic was used for the preparation of the extract.
Cold maceration method
Aqueous garlic extract
Crushed garlic paste of 250 g was mixed with 500 ml of double standard distilled water in a glass container to obtain a homogenous mix by stirring it occasionally for 4 days at 3-5°C. The mixture was then filtered and further centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 20 min. The supernatant was filtered through a 0.2-mm pore size Wattman filter paper grade 1 to remove any impurities. Aliquots were stored at -20°C until required. The filtrate thus obtained was the aqueous garlic extract (AGE). This liquid extract was used for antimicrobial assay.
Ethanolic garlic extract
Crushed garlic paste of 250 g was mixed with 500 ml of ethyl alcohol in a glass container to obtain a homogenous mix by stirring it occasionally for 4 days at 3-5°C. The mixture was then filtered and further centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 20 min. The supernatant was filtered through a 0.2-mm pore size Wattman filter paper grade 1 to remove any impurities.
Thus, the obtained alcoholic extract was concentrated by heating to evaporate ethyl alcohol and to obtain a homogenized paste. Ethanolic garlic extract (EGE) was semisolid, brown to black in color with a pungent smell. Aliquots were stored at -20°C until required. This paste was further subjected to antimicrobial assay.
Bacteria and growth condition
Stock culture of periodontal pathogens (P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans) used in this study were obtained from the Department of Microbiology, Maratha Mandal Dental College, Belgaum.
Kanamycin blood agar was used to isolate P. gingivalis. Major ingredients included trypticase blood agar base with 5% sheep blood, supplemented with yeast extract, hemin, vitamin k 1 , L-cysteine, and in addition, contained 100 mg/L of kanamycin.
Dentaid agar was used to isolate A. actinomycetemcomitans. Dentaid was prepared using brain heart infusion (BHI) agar to which 5 g of yeast extract, 1.5 g of sodium fumarate (Sigma Chemical Co., St. Louis, Mo.), and 1 g of sodium formate (Sigma) per liter were added. The medium was autoclaved for 15 min at 121°C. The final pH was estimated to be 7.2 ± 0.2. Once the medium was cooled to 50°C, vancomycin (Sigma) was added to a final concentration of 9 μg/ml.
Subculturing of P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans was done by incubating then at 35-37°C for 48-72 h. The agar plates were inoculated, placed in the anaerobic jars, and incubated for 48 h, and re-incubated for another 2-4 days, so as to allow those slow-growing organisms to form colonies. P. gingivalis was formed as black and mucoid colonies. A. actinomycetemcomitans was formed as tiny, translucent colonies.
Agar diffusion procedure
Inoculum preparations
The colonies were transferred from the plates to the BHI broth with a sterilized straight nichrome wire. The turbidity was visually adjusted with BHI broth to equal that of a 0.5 MacFarland unit turbidity standard that has been freshly prepared. Alternatively, the suspension was standardized with a photometric device.
Inoculation of agar plate
After adjusting the inoculum to a 0.5 MacFarland unit turbidity standard, a sterile cotton swab was dipped into the inoculum and rotated against the wall of the tube above the liquid to remove excess inoculum. Entire surface of kanamycin blood agar plate was swabbed three times, rotating plates approximately 60° between streaking to ensure even distribution. The inoculated plate was allowed to stand for at least 3 min but no longer than 15 min before punching the wells in the agar plate.
A hollow tube of 5 mm diameter was taken and heated. It was pressed on the inoculated agar plate and removed immediately after making a well in the plate. Likewise, three wells were made on each plate.
75 μl, 50 μl, and 25 μl of the 500 μl/ml of AGE and 500 μl/ml of EGE were added into the respective wells on each plate. The plates were incubated within 15 min of compound application for 18-24 h at 37°C anaerobically. The plates were read only if the lawn of growth was confluent or nearly confluent. The diameter of the inhibition zone was measured to nearest whole millimeter by holding the calipers.
Minimum inhibitory concentration procedure
The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the AGE and EGE was determined by macrobroth dilution method.
One set of 1-10 tubes were labeled. 0.5 ml of BHI broth was added in tubes labeled from 2-10. One ml of the test material was taken in the first tube. 0.5 ml of the garlic extract from the first tube was transferred to second tube containing the BHI broth, mixed well, and 0.5 ml was serially transferred to the third tube, till the 9 th tube. 0.5 ml was discarded from the 9 th tube and the 10 th tube served as a control.
Thus, garlic extract solutions were serially diluted and concentrations at 500, 250, 125, 62.5, 31.25, 16.6, 8.3, 4, and 2 mg/ml for EGE and μl/ml for AGE were obtained respectively. The tubes were then inoculated with 0.1 ml of cultures (10 7 cells). The lowest concentration of garlic extract that completely inhibited the growth of the organisms was considered as MIC.
Minimum bactericidal concentration procedure
To determine the minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), the MIC dilution tubes, with no visible growth and the control tube were subcultured onto the respective media and incubated for 24 h anaerobically at 37°C and the colonies were counted on the next day.
The organisms grown from the control tube were then compared with the organism grown from the MIC test tubes.
The test was read as follows:
- Similar number of colonies - indicating bacteriostatic activity only
- Reduced number of the colonies - indicating a partial or slow bactericidal activity
- No growth - if the whole inoculum has been killed.
MBC was carried out to observe the bactericidal effect of the garlic extract against the organism. If there is no growth of microorganisms, then the garlic extract is known to have bactericidal effect and if there is growth of microorganisms, then the garlic is known to have no bacteriostatic effect.
Growth kill curve
The dilutions were done in a manner similar to that of MIC. Then immediately it was plated and was noted at 0 h. The dilution tubes were kept in anaerobic jar for P. gingivalis and CO 2 jar for A. actinomycetemcomitans. At the end of 2 h again the first were plated. The same procedure was repeated after 4 h, 6 h, and 24 h. Then, the plates were incubated in either CO 2 jar as per the requirement. After 48 h of incubation at 37°C, the plates were removed and the colonies were counted.
Antiproteolytic activity of garlic on protease of P. gingivalis
Gelatin liquefaction test
Thioglycollate broth with 5% gelatin in distilled water was used for gelatin liquefaction test and this broth was inoculated with the test culture and garlic extract along with positive control (with microorganism) and negative control (without microorganism). It was incubated for 5 days at 37°C and the antiproteolytic activity of both AGE and EGE on protease of P. gingivalis were determined.
Statistical analysis
Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare the time-kill assay of AGE and EGE for both the microorganisms.
| Results | | |
Antibacterial activity of garlic extracts on P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans by Well diffusion method
The antibacterial activity of garlic on P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans was done by well diffusion method. 25 microliter (μl), 50 μl, and 75 μl of AGE showed 16 mm, 20 mm, and 25 mm zone of inhibition respectively on P. gingivalis. However, there was no zone of inhibition seen for EGE on P. gingivalis [Table 1]. (25 μl, 50 μl, and 75 μl of) AGE and EGE did not show any zone of inhibition on A. actinomycetemcomitans. | Table 1: The antibacterial activity of aqueous garlic extract on Porphyromonas gingivalis
Click here to view |
Inhibitory effect of garlic extracts
Further, the antibacterial activity testing of the AGE and EGE of garlic by Macrobroth dilution revealed MIC and MBC at different concentrations of the garlic extract.
MIC and MBC of garlic extracts on P. gingivalis
The AGE exhibited MIC at 16.6 μl/ml. EGE did not exhibit the desired result in comparison to AGE, the MIC was higher at 62.5 mg/ml for EGE [Table 2]. In MBC, the AGE showed greater bacteriostatic activity against the P. gingivalis.
MIC and MBC of garlic extracts on A. actinomycetemcomitans
A. actinomycetemcomitans showed greater resistance to both the extracts. The MIC for the AGE was determined at 62.5 μl/ml, whereas A. actinomycetemcomitans was completely resistant to all the concentrations of the EGE [Table 3]. In MBC, the AGE showed greater bacteriostatic activity than EGE. | Table 3: MIC and MBC of garlic extracts on Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
Click here to view |
In comparison of A. actinomycetemcomitans to P. gingivalis, more susceptibility was shown by P. gingivalis to the garlic extracts. The study showed that even though garlic extract exhibited bacteriostatic activity, it did not exhibit any bactericidal activity.
Time-kill assay
The time-kill assay was also performed on the periodontal pathogens included in the study, namely P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans in the presence of garlic extracts at their respective MICs.
Killing of P. gingivalis was not apparent over the first 2 h of incubation, but a greater bacteriostatic activity was observed over following 2-6 h. The bacteriostatic activity was better in AGE; the colony count was comparatively less with the EGE. After that there was a steady increase in the colony forming units and there was no bacteriostatic activity at 24 h. Control cell suspensions without garlic extract showed no drop in viability over the same period.
The A. actinomycetemcomitans exhibited resistance to bactericidal activity of the garlic extracts. Bacteriostatic activity was observed only between 0-2 h of incubation period for both extracts. Later on, a steady increase in the colony count was observed till 24 h [Table 4].
The time-kill assay of AGE and EGE were compared for both the microorganisms. The comparisons analyzed by Mann-Whitney U-test showed statistical significance with P. gingivalis at 2 h (Z = 1.99, P = 0.04), 4 h (Z = 1.96, P = 0.05), and 6 h (Z = 1.96, P = 0.05). However, no statistical significance was seen between AGE and EGE on A. actinomycetemcomitans.
Antiproteolytic activity of garlic extracts on P. gingivalis
The data related to the effects of garlic extracts on P. gingivalis protease activity are presented in the [Table 5]. | Table 5: Protease activity of garlic extracts on Porphyromonas gingivalis/i>
Click here to view |
At 500 μl/ml concentration of the AGE, the gelatin liquefaction was completely inhibited. At 125 μl/ml concentration, moderate gelatin liquefaction inhibition was observed. At 250 μl/ml concentration of the AGE, the gelatin liquefaction was slightly inhibited suggesting the antiproteolytic activity of garlic on protease of P. gingivalis.
At 500 mg/ml concentration, of the EGE there was moderate gelatin liquefaction inhibition. At 250 mg/ml concentration, there was slight gelatin liquefaction inhibition observed. At 125 mg/ml concentration, the EGE did not show any inhibition of liquefaction. Therefore, AGE showed better antiproteolytic activity on total protease of P. gingivalis compared to the EGE in gel liquefaction test.
| Discussion | | |
Periodontal disease is an infectious process ranging in severity from mild gingivitis to advanced loss of connective tissue attachment and supporting bone. [12] The successful treatment of periodontitis requires suppression or elimination of the subgingival periodontopathogens. The efficacy of non-surgical mechanical procedures and conventional home care in controlling the pathogenic flora decreases as probing depth increases. Thereby, antimicrobial agents attempt to directly reduce the pocket microflora when applied as an adjunct to mechanical debridement. [13]
Garlic is known to have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiproteolytic activiies. [14] The present study assessed the activity of garlic, particularly against putative periodontal pathogens. The present study confirmed marked inhibitory effect of garlic against periodontal pathogens. Collectively, the putative periodontal pathogens tested were A. actinomycetemcomitans and P. gingivalis.
In the present study, the inhibitory effect of garlic extracts on P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans was evaluated using agar well diffusion, MIC, MBC, and the time-kill profile. The antiproteolytic activity of garlic extracts on P. gingivalis was evaluated.
Role of garlic extracts on survival of periodontal pathogens
Garlic extracts employed in this study were 50% (w/v).The growth of P. gingivalis was inhibited showing 16 mm, 20 mm, and 25 mm zone of inhibition on P. gingivalis at 25, 50, 75 μl/ml respectively. EGE did not show any zone of inhibition for P. gingivalis at any concentrations. No zone of inhibition was observed by both AGE and EGE on A. actinomycetemcomitans. The P. gingivalis showed better inhibition to the AGE compared to EGE. However, both extracts did not show any inhibitory activity on A. actinomycetemcomitans in well diffusion method. Analysis of this data revealed that P. gingivalis was very much susceptible to AGE compared to EGE. These datas also revealed that A. actinomycetemcomitans is less susceptible to garlic extracts compared to P. gingivalis. This may be due to the structural differences between both the organisms.
Garlic extracts showed bacteriostatic activity on P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans. MIC determined for AGE was at 16.6 μl/ml concentration for P. gingivalis, whereas EGE exhibited the activity at 62.5 mg/ml on P. gingivalis. MIC determined for AGE was at 125 μl/ml for A. actinomycetemcomitans. But A. actinomycetemcomitans was resistant to EGE.
AGE did not show any zone of inhibition for A. actinomycetemcomitans in Well diffusion method but AGE showed inhibitory activity on A. actinomycetemcomitans. This difference probably may be indicative of constituents of garlic binding to constituents in the agar medium limiting the diffusion. So MIC values obtained using the broth dilution method were considered more reliable. [15] Also, MIC value shown for A. actinomycetemcomitans was at 125 μl/ml, which was much higher than the concentration taken for Well diffusion that is 25, 50, 75 μl/ml. This must have influenced the results of inhibitory effect of garlic on A. actinomycetemcomitans.
In the present study, MIC values of garlic extract were lower in P. gingivalis compared to A. actinomycetemcomitans observed in earlier study. [15] However, it is in contrast to another report who have shown lower MIC values for A. actinomycetemcomitans compared to P. gingivalis.[16]
A study reported that garlic extract exhibited bactericidal activity for both Gram-negative periodontal pathogens. [15] However, in the present study, both AGE and EGE did not exhibit any bactericidal activity.
The time-kill assay was performed on P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans in presence of garlic extracts at their respective MBC's. Killing of P. gingivalis began almost immediately. The density of viable cells declined during the next 4 h. The viable cell count stayed roughly constant between 4 h and 6 h. Therefore, P. gingivalis exhibited a decrease in the colony count during 2-6 h interval. There were still substantial numbers of viable cells present in the majority of the cultures at 24 h reaching a density of 10 6 CFU/ml.
Even though killing of A. actinomycetemcomitans began almost immediately, the density of viable cells declined during the next 2 h and there was an increase in the viable cell counts from 4 h through 24 h. There were still substantial numbers of viable cells present in the majority of the cultures at 24 h reaching a density of 10 6 CFU/ml.
The time-kill assay of AGE and EGE were compared for both the microorganisms and the results were statistically analyzed using Mann-Whitney U-test. The comparisons showed statistical significance with P. gingivalis at 2 h (Z = 1.99, P = 0.04), 4 h (Z = 1.96, P = 0.05), and 6 h (Z = 1.96, P = 0.05). However, no statistical significance was seen between AGE and EGE on A. actinomycetemcomitans.
These observations suggested that the garlic extracts elicited its antimicrobial potency in a time-dependent manner producing distinct time-kill profiles suggesting variations in the growth inhibitory responses of the tested isolates to garlic. Similar responses have been reported in earlier studies. [17],[18] However, the uniqueness of time-kill profiles on Gram-negative microbes in this study may be connected with the structural difference between these two organisms.
In this study, aqueous and alcoholic garlic extracts showed antiproteolytic activity on P. gingivalis which was detected by gel liquefaction test. These results suggest AGE showed better antiproteolytic activity on total protease of P. gingivalis compared to the EGE.
In the study, AGE was found to be more potent than EGE, similar to observations made in few earlier studies, [19],[20],[21] but in contrast with others. [22] One of the possible explanations for this is when EGE was evaporated at 80°C, some the volatile constituents of garlic must have evaporated which possibly resulted in this difference in the inhibitory activity between AGE and EGE.
In this study, it has been shown that the protease activity of P. gingivalis is inhibited by garlic extract. Thus, garlic extract may be a potential therapeutic agent for periodontitis because it shows significant activity against both P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans and also on the proteases of P. gingivalis. However, to translate into effective in vivo therapies for periodontitis, therapeutic agents must ideally be active against biofilms rather than just planktonic cells.
In vivo studies showed good activity of that mouthwash containing garlic extract against salivary mutans streptococcal and total bacterial viable counts, although no direct assays have been performed on oral biofilms. [11] Garlic extract has, however, been reported to inhibit the formation of biofilms by Staphylococcus epidermidis, even at sub-MIC levels. [23]
One of the major disadvantages of the therapeutic usefulness of garlic extract is that, allicin (constituent of garlic) is unstable and breaks down within 16 h at 23°C. [24] However, the use of water-based extract of allicin stabilizes the allicin molecule. This may be due to two factors: The hydrogen bonding of water to the reactive oxygen atom in allicin which can reduce its instability; and/or there may be water-soluble components in crushed garlic that destabilize the molecule. [25] But one of the major disadvantages for this approach is that allicin can react with water to form diallyl sulfide which does not exhibit the same level of antibacterial activity as does allicin. [26],[27]
A second limitation to therapeutic usefulness could be that constituents of garlic complexes with blood proteins and so its efficacy might be expected to be reduced in the presence of bleeding at periodontal sites. However, constituents of garlic administered systemically have been reported to retain sufficient biological activity in rabbits to be effective. [24],[25]
A third limitation is that glutathione reverses the action of some of the constituents of garlic (allicin) on cysteine proteases of P. gingivalis[26],[27] and this is present in gingival crevicular fluid, although at significantly lower levels at diseased sites in periodontitis patients. [28]
Despite these potential problems, because the widespread use of antibiotics has led to the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance, alternative agents that are effective against the pathogens of interest but which do not disturb the commensal flora unduly are of particular interest. [15]
In accord with a previous study that reported the inhibitory effect of garlic extract on oral bacteria, [15],[17] the current study suggests that garlic extract might be a useful candidate for in vivo testing as an agent for the prevention and treatment of periodontitis and possibly for other dental diseases.
Future therapeutic considerations might include alternating drugs, using different antimicrobials from one treatment to the next, as more drugs become available. Targeted therapy based on rapid chair side assays of bacterial susceptibility would also be desirable to enhance the ability of the operator to select appropriate antimicrobials.
| Conclusions | | |
With the rise in bacterial resistance to antibiotics, there is considerable interest in the development of other classes of antimicrobials for the control of infection. Garlic has been used as a medicine since ancient times and has long been known to have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.
From the current study, it is concluded that there is preliminary evidence for the antimicrobial activity of garlic extracts against periodontal pathogens, P. gingivalis, A. actinomycetemcomitans. Its action against P. gingivalis includes inhibition of total protease activity, and this raises the possibility that garlic may have therapeutic use for periodontitis and possibly other oral infections.
| References | | |
| 1. | Brownstein CN, Briggs SD, Schweitzer KL, Briner WW, Kornman KS. Irrigation with chlorhexidine to resolve naturally occurring gingivitis. A methodologic study. J Clin Periodontol 1990;17:588-93. 
|
| 2. | Takarada K, Kimizuka R, Takahashi N, Honma K, Okuda K, Kato T. A comparison of the antibacterial efficacies of essential oils against oral pathogens. Oral Microbiol Immunol 2004;19:61-4.
|
| 3. | Perinetti G, Paolantonio M, Cordella C, D′Ercole S, Serra E, Piccolomini R. Clinical and microbiological effects of subgingival administration of two active gels on persistent pockets of chronic periodontitis patients. J Clin Periodontol 2004;31:273-81.
|
| 4. | Grisi DC, Salvador SL, Figueiredo LC, Souza SL, Novaes AB, Grisi MF. Effect of a controlled-release chlorhexidine chip on clinical and microbiological parameters of periodontal syndrome. J Clin Periodontol 2002;29:875-81.
|
| 5. | Block E. The chemistry of garlic and onions. Sci Am 1985;252:114-9.
[PUBMED] |
| 6. | Gupta KC, Viswanthan R. Combined action of streptomycin and chloramphenicol with plant antibiotics against tubercle bacilli. I. Streptomycin and chloramphenical with cepharanthine. II. Streptomycin and allicin. Antibiot Chemother 1995;5:24-7.
|
| 7. | Lutomski J. Components and biological properties of some Allium species. Poznan: Institute of the Medicinal Plants; 1987. p. 1-58.
|
| 8. | Uchida Y, Takahashi T, Sato N. The characteristics of the antibacterial activity of garlic . Jpn J Antibiot 1975;28:638-42.
[PUBMED] |
| 9. | Cellini L, Di Campli E, Masulli M, Di Bartolomeo S, Allocati N. Inhibition of Helicobacter pylori by garlic extract (Allium sativum). FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol 1996;13:273-7.
|
| 10. | Elnima EI, Ahmed SA, Mekkawi AG, Mossa JS. The antimicrobial activity of garlic and onion extracts. Pharmazie 1983;38:747-8.
[PUBMED] |
| 11. | Groppo FC, Ramacciato JC, Simões RP, Flório FM, Sartoratto A. Antimicrobial activity of garlic, tea tree oil, and chlorhexidine against oral microorganisms. Int Dent J 2002;52:433-7.
|
| 12. | Jorgensen MG, Slots J. The ins and outs of periodontal antimicrobial therapy. J Calif Dent Assoc 2002;30:297-305.
|
| 13. | Fine JB, Harper DS, Gordon JM, Hovliaras CA, Charles CH. Short-term microbiological and clinical effects of subgingival irrigation with an antimicrobial mouthrinse. J Periodontol 1994;65:30-6.
|
| 14. | Ankri S, Mirelman D. Antimicrobial properties of allicin from garlic. Microbes Infect 1999;1:125-9.
|
| 15. | Bakri IM, Douglas CW. Inhibitory effect of garlic extract on oral bacteria. Arch Oral Biol 2005;50:645-51.
|
| 16. | Bachrach G, Jamil A, Naor R, Tal G, Ludmer Z, Steinberg D. Garlic allicin as a potential agent for controlling oral pathogens. J Med Food: In Press.
|
| 17. | Yin MC, Chang HC, Tsao SM. Inhibitory effects of aqueous garlic extract, garlic oil and four diallylsulphides against four enteric pathogens. J Food Drug Anal 2002;10:120-6.
|
| 18. | Iwalokun BA, Ogunledun A, Ogbolu DO, Bamiro SB, Jimi-Omojola J. In vitro antimicrobial properties of aqueous garlic extract against multidrug-resistant bacteria and Candida species from Nigeria. J Med Food 2004;7:327-33.
|
| 19. | Roy J, Shakaya DM, Callery PS, Thomas JG. Chemical constituents and antimicrobial activity of a traditional herbal medicine containing garlic and black cumen. Afr J Trad 2006;3:1-7.
|
| 20. | Jaber MA, Al-Mossawi A. Susceptibility of some multiple resistant bacteria to garlic extract. Afr J Biotechnol 2007;6:771-6.
|
| 21. | El-Mahmood AM, Amey JM. In vitro antibacterial activity of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq) root bark extract against some microorganisms associated with urinary infections. Afr J Biotechnol 2007;6:1272-5.
|
| 22. | Debnath M. Clonal propagation and antimicrobial activity of an endemic medicinal plant Steria rebaudiana. J Med Plants Res 2005;2:48-58.
|
| 23. | Pérez-Giraldo C, Cruz-Villalón G, Sánchez-Silos R, Martínez-Rubio R, Blanco MT, Gómez-García AC. In vitro activity of allicin against Staphylococcus epidermidis and influence of subinhibitory concentrations on biofilm formation. J Appl Microbiol 2003;95:709-11.
|
| 24. | Freeman F, Kodera Y. Garlic chemistry: Stability of S-(2-proppenyl) 2-propene-1-sulfinothioate (Allicin) in blood, solvents, and stimulated physiological fluids. J Agric Food Chem 1995;43:2332-8.
|
| 25. | Eilat S, Oestraicher Y, Rabinkov A, Ohad D, Mirelman D, Battler A, et al. Alteration of lipid profile in hyperlipidemic rabbits by allicin, an active constituent of garlic. Coron Artery Dis 1995;6:985-90.
|
| 26. | Rabinkov A, Miron T, Konstantinovski L, Wilchek M, Mirelman D, Weiner L. The mode of action of allicin: Trapping of radicals and interaction with thiol containing proteins. Biochim Biophys Acta 1998;1379:233-44.
|
| 27. | Miron T, Rabinkov A, Mirelman D, Wilchek M, Weiner L. The mode of action of allicin: Its ready permeability through phospholipid membranes may contribute to its biological activity. Biochim Biophys Acta 2000;1463:20-30.
|
| 28. | Chapple IL, Brock G, Eftimiadi C, Matthews JB. Glutathione in gingival crevicular fluid and its relation to local antioxidant capacity in periodontal health and disease. Mol Pathol 2002;55:367-73.
|
[Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3], [Table 4], [Table 5]
| This article has been cited by | | 1 |
Green Alternatives as Antimicrobial Agents in Mitigating Periodontal Diseases: A Narrative Review |
|
| Seyed Ali Mosaddad, Ahmed Hussain, Hamid Tebyaniyan | | Microorganisms. 2023; 11(5): 1269 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 2 |
Studies on Biological Management of Fusarium Wilt of Tomato |
|
| Mehboob Ali, Shaukat Hussain, Azra Nadeem, Saeed Ullah, Muhammad Yasin | | Gesunde Pflanzen. 2022; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 3 |
Medicinal Plants Used as an Alternative to Treat Gingivitis and Periodontitis |
|
| Neeraj Rani, Rajeev K. Singla, Sonia Narwal, Tanushree, Nitish Kumar, Md. Mominur Rahman, Shuli Yang | | Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2022; 2022: 1 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 4 |
Natural Bioactive Compounds in the Management of Oral Diseases in Nephropathic Patients |
|
| Michele Basilicata, Manuela Di Lauro, Vincenzo Campolattano, Giulia Marrone, Roberto Celotto, Anna Paola Mitterhofer, Patrizio Bollero, Nicola Di Daniele, Annalisa Noce | | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2022; 19(3): 1665 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 5 |
Comparison of time-kill assay to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of garlic (allium sativum) and guava (psidium guajava) extracts on periodontal pathogens |
|
| Sunaina Shetty, RaghavendraM Shetty, Betul Rahman, ManchalaSesha Reddy, ShishirRam Shetty, Venkataramana Vannala, Vijay Desai, Rahul Halkai | | Contemporary Clinical Dentistry. 2021; 12(4): 389 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 6 |
Anti-Periodontitis Effect of Ethanol Extracts of Alpinia Katsumadai Seeds |
|
| Seo Woo Shin, Young Sun Hwang | | Nutrients. 2021; 14(1): 136 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 7 |
Antibacterial activity of plant extracts against periodontal pathogens: A systematic review |
|
| Kaoutar Dib,OumKeltoum Ennibi,Katim Alaoui,Yahia Cherrah,Abdelkarim Filali-Maltouf | | Journal of Herbal Medicine. 2021; : 100493 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 8 |
Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Bioactives and Its Role in Alleviating Oral Pathologies |
|
| Minnu Sasi, Sandeep Kumar, Manoj Kumar, Sandhya Thapa, Uma Prajapati, Yamini Tak, Sushil Changan, Vivek Saurabh, Shweta Kumari, Ashok Kumar, Muzaffar Hasan, Deepak Chandran, Radha, Sneh Punia Bangar, Sangram Dhumal, Marisennayya Senapathy, Anitha Thiyagarajan, Ahmad Alhariri, Abhijit Dey, Surinder Singh, Suraj Prakash, Ravi Pandiselvam, Mohamed Mekhemar | | Antioxidants. 2021; 10(11): 1847 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 9 |
The Porphyromonas gingivalis inhibitory effects, antioxidant effects and the safety of a Sri Lankan traditional betel quid - an in vitro study |
|
| Madhavi Priyanka Paranagama,Nadisha Sewwandi Piyarathne,Tharanga Lakmali Nandasena,Sumedha Jayatilake,Ayanthi Navaratne,Bandula Prasanna Galhena,Senani Williams,Jayantha Rajapakse,Kiyoshi Kita | | BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies. 2020; 20(1) | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 10 |
Antibacterial activity of plant species used for oral health against Porphyromonas gingivalis |
|
| Danielle H. Carrol,François Chassagne,Micah Dettweiler,Cassandra L. Quave,David M. Ojcius | | PLOS ONE. 2020; 15(10): e0239316 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 11 |
Efficacy of Psidium guajava and Allium sativum extracts as antimicrobial agents against periodontal pathogens |
|
| Sunaina Shetty,RaghavendraM Shetty,Betul Rahman,Venkataramana Vannala,Vijay Desai,ShishirR Shetty | | Journal of Pharmacy And Bioallied Sciences. 2020; 12(5): 589 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 12 |
Polyphenols in the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease: A systematic review of in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro studies |
|
| Kübra Bunte,Andreas Hensel,Thomas Beikler | | Fitoterapia. 2019; 132: 30 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 13 |
Antimicrobial Activity of Aqueous Garlic Extract (Allium sativum) Against Porphyromonas gingivalis: An In-Vitro Study |
|
| S Alirezaei,H Godarzi,N Moezi ghadim,A Maheri | | Journal of Research in Dental and Maxillofacial Sciences. 2019; 4(4): 17 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 14 |
The preventive and therapeutic application of garlic and other plant ingredients in the treatment of periodontal diseases (Review) |
|
| Masahiro Ohtani,Tsubasa Nishimura | | Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine. 2019; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 15 |
Activity of preparations from Spilanthes oleracea
, propolis, Nigella sativa
, and black garlic on different microorganisms involved in oral diseases and on total human salivary bacteria: A pilot study |
|
| Christian Vlachojannis,Sigrun Chrubasik-Hausmann,Elmar Hellwig,Kirstin Vach,Ali Al-Ahmad | | Phytotherapy Research. 2018; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 16 |
Redox Modulation at Work: Natural Phytoprotective Polysulfanes From Alliums Based on Redox-Active Sulfur |
|
| Awais Anwar,Emma Gould,Ryan Tinson,Javaid Iqbal,Chris Hamilton | | Current Pharmacology Reports. 2018; | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 17 |
Evaluation of the Efficacy of Guava Extract as an Antimicrobial Agent on Periodontal Pathogens |
|
| Sachin B Mangalekar,Hanumanth Reddy,Y Sunaina Shetty,Rajesh Shankarapillai,Gopinath Vivekanandan,Challa S Reddy | | The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice. 2018; 19(6): 690 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 18 |
14. Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Garlic (Allium Sativum) and Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, Blood Profile and Oxidative Status in Growing Rabbits |
|
| Mahmoud Alagawany,Elwy Ali Ashour,Fayez Mohamed Reda | | Annals of Animal Science. 2016; 16(2) | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 19 |
Natural Therapeutic Options in Endodontics - A Review |
|
| Nagendrababu Venkateshbabu,Suresh Anand,Mohan Abarajithan,Sultan O. Sheriff,Pulikkotil S. Jacob,Nath Sonia | | The Open Dentistry Journal. 2016; 10(1): 214 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 20 |
La biología sintética como desafío para comprender la autonomía de lo vivo |
|
| Sara Murillo-Sánchez,Kepa Ruiz-Mirazo | | Isegoría. 2016; (55): 551 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 21 |
Natural Antimicrobials and Oral Microorganisms: A Systematic Review on Herbal Interventions for the Eradication of Multispecies Oral Biofilms |
|
| Lamprini Karygianni,Ali Al-Ahmad,Aikaterini Argyropoulou,Elmar Hellwig,Annette C. Anderson,Alexios L. Skaltsounis | | Frontiers in Microbiology. 2016; 6 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | | | 22 |
Antibacterial Activity of Aqueous Garlic Extract Against Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus |
|
| Seung-Yoon Lee,Sang-Hyun Nam,Hyun-Jung Lee,Song-Ee Son,Hu-Jang Lee | | Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety. 2015; 30(2): 210 | | [Pubmed] | [DOI] | |
|
 |
|
|
|
