Inhibitory Effects of Aqueous Extract of Garlic on Growth and Keratinase Activity of Trichophyton Mentagrophytes

Abstract

Background: The effect of garlic extracton fungal
growth and keratinolytic activity was studied in
Trichophytonmentagrophytes as one of the major
etiologic agents of human and animal dermatophytosis
in Baghdad and other parts of the World.
Objective: To investigated an alternative
antidermatophyte with minimum side effects which is
plant based and biodegradable natural product
Methods: Culture conditions for 30 isolates of T.
mentagrophytes isolated from human dermatophytosis
from both sexes with ages of 5-63 years in Central
Medical city for the period July 2009 to October 2009
were cultured on specific solid medium.
Results: The aqueous extract of garlic at various
concentrations inhibited the growth of T.
mentagrophytes. This inhibition reached to a maximum
of 100٪ for extract at 10٪concentration. Keratinase
synthesis was also inhibited by the extract about 91٪ at
8 ٪ concentration.
Conclusion: Fungal growth and keratinolytic activity
are important factors in pathogenesis of the
dermatophytes, their inhibition by garlic indicate that
this substance may have potential values for treatment
of human and animal dermatophytosis.