How does Allicin work?
Stabilised allicin has now been formulated into an active range of products called Allimed. Powdercapsules, liquid, soap and cream presentations all show highly significant activity against multi-drug resistant organisms including MRSA. The mechanism of action of allicin may be due to inhibition of certain thiolcontaining enzymes in the microorganisms by the rapid reaction of thiosulfinates with thiol groups. This was assumed to be the main mechanism involved in the antibiotic effect of allicin. Recent studies have suggested that the mechanism of action of Allicin may be its ability to react with a model thiol compound (L-cysteine) to form the S-thiolation product S-allylmercaptocysteine. The identification of the thiolation product was proven by nuclear magnetic resonance as well as by mass spectroscopy. The main antimicrobial effect of allicin is due to its interaction with important thiol-containing enzymes. In the amoeba parasite, allicin was found to strongly inhibit the cysteine
