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Planta Med 2006; 72(13): 1247-1250
DOI: 10.1055/s-2006-947203
Letter
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Enhancement of the Fungicidal Activity of Amphotericin B by Allicin, an Allyl-Sulfur Compound from Garlic, against the Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a Model System

Akira Ogita1 , Ken-ichi Fujita2 , Makoto Taniguchi2 , Toshio Tanaka2
  • 1Institute for Health and Sport Sciences, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
  • 2Department of Biology and Geosciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

Received: March 13, 2006

Accepted: June 27, 2006

Publication Date:
10 August 2006 (online)

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Abstract

Amphotericin B (AmB) is a representative antibiotic for the control of serious fungal infections, and its fungicidal activity was greatly enhanced by allicin, an allyl-sulfur compound from garlic. In addition to the plasma membrane permeability change, AmB induced vacuole membrane damage so that the organelles were visible as small discrete particles. Although allicin was ineffective in promoting AmB-induced plasma membrane disability, this compound enhanced AmB-induced structural damage to the vacuolar membrane even at a non-lethal dose of the antibiotic. Allicin could also enhance the antifungal activity of AmB against the pathogenic fungus Candida albicans and against Aspergillus fumigatus. In contrast, allicin did not enhance the cytotoxic activity of AmB against cells of human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60), a vacuole-less organism.

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Prof. Dr. Toshio Tanaka

Department of Biology and Geosciences

Graduate School of Science

Osaka City University

3-3-138 Sugimoto

Sumiyoshi-ku

Osaka 558-8585

Japan

Phone: +81-6-6605-3163

Fax: +81-6-6605-3164

Email: tanakato@sci.osaka-cu.ac.jp