The Fungicidal and Fungistatic Effects of an Aqueous Garlic Extract on Medically Important Yeast-Like Fungi

SUMMARY

A variety of yeast-like fungi representing the genera Candida, Cryptococcus, Rhodotorula, Torulopsis, and Trichosporon was inhibited in vitro in the presence of an aqueous extract of garlic. Fungi associated with vaginitis were inhibited and killed by an aqueous garlic extract diluted to 1: 1024 when incubated at 37 C. The antimycotic activity of the garlic preparation appeared greater at 37 C than at 30 C. The aqueous garlic extract maintained its fungistatic properties at 4, –10, –60 C for the test period of 30 da, but decreased in fungicidal ability within one wk at the same storage temperatures. Twenty-two isolates of C. albicans isolated from active vaginitis cases were all inhibited by the garlic extract.