Evidence supporting the use of: Allicin
For the health condition: Fungal Infections

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Allicin, a compound derived from garlic (Allium sativum), has a long history of traditional use for infections, including fungal conditions. In recent years, several laboratory studies have demonstrated that allicin exhibits antifungal activity against a variety of pathogenic fungi, such as Candida albicans, Aspergillus species, and Cryptococcus species. The mechanism of action appears to involve interference with fungal cell membranes and inhibition of key enzymes. However, most of the evidence comes from in vitro (test tube) studies and a limited number of animal experiments. Some small-scale clinical studies and case reports suggest possible benefits of garlic preparations (often containing allicin) for superficial fungal infections, but the clinical data are sparse, inconsistent, and often lack rigorous controls.

There are no large, high-quality randomized controlled trials demonstrating that allicin is effective for treating fungal infections in humans. Furthermore, the stability and bioavailability of allicin in commercial products is variable, which complicates interpretation of clinical relevance. In summary, while there is scientific rationale and preliminary laboratory evidence for the antifungal effects of allicin, robust clinical validation is lacking at this time. Therefore, the scientific evidence supporting the use of allicin for fungal infections is rated as low (2 out of 5).

More about Allicin
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Products containing Allicin

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