Combating Black Fungus: Using Allicin as a Potent Antifungal Agent against Mucorales
Christina Schier1,2, Martin C H Gruhlke3,4, Georg Reucher2
1Department of Plant Physiology, RWTH Aachen University, Worringer Weg 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
Abstract:
Invasive fungal (IF) diseases are a leading global cause of mortality, particularly among immunocompromised individuals. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic further exacerbated this scenario, intensifying comorbid IF infections such as mucormycoses of the nasopharynx. In the work reported here, it is shown that zygomycetes, significant contributors to mycoses, are sensitive to the natural product allicin. Inhibition of Mucorales fungi by allicin in solution and by allicin vapor was demonstrated. Mathematical modeling showed that the efficacy of allicin vapor is comparable to direct contact with the commercially available antifungal agent amphotericin B (ampB). Furthermore, the study revealed a synergistic interaction between allicin and the non-volatile ampB. The toxicity of allicin solution to human cell lines was evaluated and it was found that the half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of allicin was 25-72 times higher in the cell lines as compared to the fungal spores. Fungal allicin sensitivity depends on the spore concentration, as demonstrated in a drop test. This study shows the potential of allicin, a sulfur-containing defense compound from garlic, to combat zygomycete fungi. The findings underscore allicin's promise for applications in infections of the nasopharynx via inhalation, suggesting a novel therapeutic avenue against challenging fungal infections.
Insights
Allicin, a compound from garlic, effectively inhibits zygomycetes fungi, including those causing nasopharyngeal infections. Its vapor efficacy rivals amphotericin B, showing potential for novel antifungal therapies.
Area of Science:
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
- Natural Products Chemistry
Background:
- Invasive fungal (IF) diseases pose a significant global health threat, especially to immunocompromised populations.
- The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has increased the incidence of co-infections, including mucormycoses of the nasopharynx.
- Zygomycetes are a class of fungi responsible for serious mycoses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the antifungal activity of allicin against zygomycetes.
- To compare the efficacy of allicin vapor and solution to existing antifungal agents.
- To assess the synergistic potential of allicin with amphotericin B and evaluate its toxicity.
Main Methods:
- Demonstration of Mucorales fungal inhibition by allicin in solution and vapor.
- Mathematical modeling to compare allicin vapor efficacy with amphotericin B.
- Evaluation of allicin solution toxicity to human cell lines.
- Spore concentration-dependent sensitivity testing using a drop test.
Main Results:
- Allicin demonstrated significant inhibition of zygomycetes fungi.
- Allicin vapor showed comparable efficacy to amphotericin B.
- A synergistic effect was observed between allicin and amphotericin B.
- Allicin exhibited a favorable toxicity profile, with higher EC50 values in human cell lines than against fungal spores.
Conclusions:
- Allicin, a natural compound from garlic, shows potent activity against zygomycetes.
- Allicin holds promise for treating nasopharyngeal fungal infections via inhalation.
- Allicin represents a potential novel therapeutic agent for challenging fungal infections.
Related Concept Videos
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