Authors : M. Arzanlou , R. Arab and R. Alaei
Abstract: Treatment of multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which causes burn infection is a big challenge in clinics and needs novel strategies. Garlic extract has potent in vitro antibacterial activities against number of gram negative and gram positive bacteria including P. aeruginosa. The aim of this study, was to evaluate in vivo therapeutic efficacy of garlic extract in treating burn wound infection caused by P. aeruginosa in burned mouse model. Burn was induced on the back of anesthetized animals by hot water, after the hair removal. Bacterial infection was established by topical applying of highly pathogenic clinical isolate of P. aeruginosa. Potential of garlic extract on reduction of mortality was evaluated by topical application of 10% (v/v) garlic extract on burned and infected animals (treatment group 1) and was compared with two control groups: Burned and infected animals either treated with topical Silver Sulphadiazine (SSD) (1%) (treatment group 2) or left untreated (treatment group 3). The same groups were subjected to evaluate bacterial counts in organs (blood, liver, spleen and skin). Our results indicated that topical administration of garlic extract (10%) extended the survival of mice for 3-6 days, compared with survival of the untreated group. Both garlic extract and SSD treatments reduced the microbial loads in vital organs (blood, liver, spleen), compared to that of untreated control group (p< 0.05). These results demonstrate the potential of garlic extract in the treatment of burn wound infection caused by P. aeruginosa.
M. Arzanlou , R. Arab and R. Alaei , 2007. Therapeutic Efficacy of Garlic (Allium sativa) Against Burn Wound Infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa . Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 2: 634-638.