The effect of garlic on the modulation of Candida albicans induced tumor necrosis factor-alpha from murine macrophages

Garlic (Allium sativum) has antiparasitic, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, specifically against the yeast Candida albicans (C. albicans). Garlic is also known to boost the immune system. The immune system consists of innate and adaptive immunity. Macrophages, phagocytotic cells that engulf pathogens and dead cells, play a big part in the innate immunity and are major producers of an important pro-inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-??), which is released upon the detection of antigens such as C. albicans. In our lab we have observed that garlic suppresses C. albicans-induced TNF-?? from J774A.1 murine macrophages. We first tested to see whether cell density altered the effect of garlic. Thus, macrophages were seeded at four densities: 0.625x10 5 cells/mL, 1.25x105 cell/mL, 2.50x105 cells/mL, 5.00x105 cells/mL. We found that garlic decreases C. albicans-induced TNF-?? secretion at all cell densities. Next, we wanted to investigate the signaling mechanisms by which garlic suppresses C. albicans induced TNF-??, specifically the involvement of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). MAPK activation induces TNF-?? secretion from macrophages. We first examined the involvement of ERK1/2 in C. albicans-induced TNF-?? secretion by treating with pyrogen free water (PFW, the garlic diluent), garlic, and heat killed C. albicans with or without garlic in the presence and absence of the ERK1/2 inhibitor. Our preliminary findings suggest that ERK1/2 may not be involved in garlic???s effect on C. albicans-induced TNF-?? secretion. Investigating garlic???s effect and its mechanism on C. albicans induced TNF-?? production will help develop a better understanding of garlic as an antifungal agent, particularly against a C. albicans infection, within our innate immune system