British scientists are carrying out a new pilot study to look at whether taking garlic capsules could prevent cystic fibrosis patients from falling foul of a potentially fatal infection.

Scientists at the University of Nottingham are leading the new study to see if the pungent bulb could hold the key to disrupt the communication system of the pathogen Pseudomonas to prevent illness from taking hold, according to a report on the science website Alpha Galileo on Wednesday.

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited condition causing difficulties in digesting food with people with the condition vulnerable to repeated and chronic chest infections which damage the lungs and which may ultimately be fatal. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most common causes of chronic infection in cystic fibrosis patients.

During the study, half the volunteer cystic fibrosis patients will be given garlic capsules, while the other half will receive a placebo (olive oil capsules) over a two-month period, and at the beginning and end of the study, researchers will measure the levels of germs in patients' sputum samples, the patients' lung function, and monitor the patients' weight and carry out blood tests to ensure the garlic capsules are safe.

According to Alan Smyth who is leading the project, the garlic components inhibit a bacterial communication system called quorum sensing (QS), which is responsible for the germ forming tenacious colonies in the lungs called "biofilms" and the QS molecules also switch on bacterial weapons such as "lastase," an enzyme which breaks down elastic tissue in the lung.

"The beauty of this approach is that we may be able to render the germ harmless without killing it. If we use a conventional antibiotic which kills the Pseudomonas, there will always be some survivors, some of which may develop antibiotic resistance. The trick is not to allow Pseudomonas to use natural selection as a weapon against us," Smyth was quoted as saying.

Garlic capsules to be used in the study will be supplied by the Nottingham-based company Boots, according to the report.

Garlic has been hailed a wonder drug for centuries and has been used to prevent gangrene, treat high blood pressure, ward off common colds and is even believed by some to have cancer-fighting properties.

Source:Xinhua