Antibacterial effects of Azerbaijan Garlic (Allium sativum)

Abstract

Bacteria have an important role in human and animal infections and bacterial resistance to antibiotics is a major problem following repetitive antibiotic therapy. Garlic has an antimicrobial activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate <em>in vitro</em> antibacterial effects of Azerbaijan garlic against some bacteria. Fifty clinical isolates and five control strains of bacteria included <em>Escherichia</em><em> coli, </em><em>Pseudomonas </em><em>aeruginosa, </em><em>Klebsiella</em> <em>pneumonia, </em><em>Staphylococcus </em><em>epidermidis</em> and <em>Staphylococcus </em><em>aureus</em> were selected for the study. The MIC and MBC of garlic on bacteria were determined by microdilution assay. The garlic extract showed diverse activity against the bacteria.The MIC and MBC of garlic on gram-positive bacteriawere generally lower than gram-negative bacteria. This study confirms the antimicrobial potential of garlic, and garlic may be appropriate plant for treatment and prevent of infections.