The effect of allicin from garlic on tumor growth.

Abstract

Summary Allicin, alliin, and a garlic extract were tested on solid and ascites mouse tumors carried in proper hosts. Preincubation of certain concentrations of enzymatically prepared allicin with tumor cells resulted in complete inhibition of tumor growth. Single or multiple treatment, as high as 30 mg. of either allicin or alliin per kg. of mouse, did not produce any consistent and significant tumor inhibition. The garlic extract also was an ineffective tumor-inhibitor. Only allicin inhibited the yeast cells and their respiratory mutants. The stability of allinase was increased to 20–34 days by storage at -25° C.