Cited by 327Garlic and Onion StudiesChemical synthesis and alkaloidsEssential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity

In Vitro Virucidal Effects of Allium sativum(Garlic) Extract and Compounds

Weber, Norbert, Andersen, Douglas, North, James, Murray, Byron, Lawson, Larry, Hughes, Bronwyn·1992·Planta Medica

Abstract

Garlic ( Allium sativum ) has been shown to have antiviral activity, but the compounds responsible have not been identified. Using direct pre-infection incubation assays, we determined the in vitro virucidal effects of fresh garlic extract, its polar fraction, and the following garlic associated compounds: diallyl thio-sulfinate (allicin), allyl methyl thiosulfinate, methyl allyl thiosulfinate, ajoene, alliin, deoxyalliin, diallyl disulfide, and diallyl trisulfide. Activity was determined against selected viruses including, herpes simplex virus type 1, herpes simplex virus type 2, parainfluenza virus type 3, vaccinia virus, vesicular stomatitis virus, and human rhinovirus type 2. The order for virucidal activity generally was: ajoene ≥ allicin ≥ allyl methyl thiosulfinate ≥ methyl allyl thiosulfinate. Ajoene was found in oil-macerates of garlic but not in fresh garlic extracts. No activity was found for the garlic polar fraction, alliin, deoxyalliin, diallyl disulfide, or diallyl trisulfide. Fresh garlic extract, in which thiosulfinates appeared to be the active components, was virucidal to each virus tested. The predominant thiosulfinate in fresh garlic extract was allicin. Lack of reduction in yields of infectious virus indicated undetectable levels of intracellular antiviral activity for either allicin or fresh garlic extract. Furthermore, concentrations that were virucidal were also toxic to lleLa and Vero cells. Virucidal assay results were not influenced by cytotoxicity since the compounds were diluted below toxic levels prior to assaying for infectious virus. These results indicate that virucidal activity and cytotoxicity may have depended upon the viral envelope and cell membrane, respectively. However, activity against non-enveloped virus may have been due to inhibition of viral adsorption or penetration. Additionally, the composition of various commercial garlic products, including garlic powder tablets and capsules, oil-macerated garlic, steam-distilled garlic oils, garlic aged in aqueous alcohol, and fermented garlic oil was determined as well as the virucidal activities of the products against herpes simplex virus type 1 and parainfluenza virus type 3. Virucidal activities of commercial products were dependent upon their preparation process. Those products producing the highest levels of allicin and other thiosulfinates had the best virucidal activities.

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Crossref · 10.1055/s-2006-961504

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Authors
Weber, N., Andersen, D., North, J., Murray, B., Lawson, L., & Hughes, B.
Affiliations
Brigham Young University (US)
Venue
Planta Medica
Published
1992-10
Volume
58
Issue
05
Pages
417-423
ISSN
  • 0032-0943 (ISSN-L)
  • 1439-0221
OpenAlex
W1997523899
Cited by
327
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 15 · 2023: 18 · 2022: 19 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 41 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 18
FWCI
0.98
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Planta Medica (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Garlic and Onion Studies
  • Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Organic Chemistry › Chemical synthesis and alkaloids
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Food Science › Essential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity
Keywords
garlic, virucidal activity, antiviral agents, allicin, ajoene, garlic extract, herpes simplex virus type 1, herpes simplex virus type 2, parainfluenza virus type 3, vaccinia virus, vesicular stomatitis virus
MeSH terms
Animals, Antiviral Agents, Chlorocebus aethiops, Disulfides, DNA Viruses, Garlic, HeLa Cells, Humans, Plant Extracts, Plants, Medicinal, RNA Viruses, Sulfinic Acids, Vero Cells

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