Allicin-induced suppression of Mycobacterium tuberculosis 85B mRNA in human monocytes.

Despite of encountering a robust immune response, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) successfully survives and persists in the human host. We investigated the early regulation of MTB 85B gene by allicin in MTB-infected human monocytes. During the first 24h of infection, levels of both MTB 85B intracellular mRNA and secreted protein were significantly down-regulated by allicin in a dose-dependent manner, which was mediated by inhibition of glutathione and NF-kappaB pathway.