An evaluation of the relative effectiveness of mother tincture, 3X and 8X homeopathic garlic (allium sativum) dilutions on five strains of nosocomial multidrug-resistant microorganisms in terms of bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects in order to validate the clinical use of garlic in patients infected by these organisms

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to test the relative effectiveness of extract, 3X and 8X homeopathic garlic (Allium sativum) dilutions on Candida albicans and nosocomial multidrug- resistant strains of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Eschericia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in terms of bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects in order to validate the clinical use of garlic in patients infected by these organisms. The test organisms were provided by the Department of Microbiology at the University of Stellenbosch Medical School. A 1:2 aqueous extract was prepared from fresh garlic bulbs. From the extract the 3X and 8X dilutions were made in distilled water according to the method of the German Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia. In the experimental group, these three garlic preparations and standardised solutions of each of the five test organisms were serially added, in equal quantities, to nine samples of nutrient broth, incubated and optically evaluated for turbidity against McFarlane standards. Samples showing garlic activity were plated out, incubated and the Colony Forming Units (CFU's) counted. Similarly, in the control group, solutions of each of the five test organisms were added to nine samples of nutrient broth, incubated and optically evaluated for turbidity against McFarlane standards. The CFUs of the experimental and control groups were statistically compared by means of the Kruskal-Wallis test. III Those strains against which garlic exhibited a bactericidal effect (kill = >99,9%), were subjected to a timelkill experiment to determine the time required for the garlic to kill thew