Urgent researches are needed to test potential therapeutic agents against COVID-19 pandemic. Several studies are evaluating the beneficial and harmful effects of different pharmacological interventions such as antimalarial drugs, antiviral drugs, biologics, and interferon. To the best of our knowledge there was no trial for inhalation of raw freshly crushed garlic as a COVID-19 therapeutic although of many beneficial effects with minimal side effects. When the bulbs of garlic are cutted or crushed alliin is transformed into the Allicin by the enzyme alliinase. Allicin has anti-viral, anti-IL-6, anti-platelets and immunomodulatory effect; properties that could help to alleviate SARS-CoV-2 rapid spread, infection and subsequent complications.
Allicin may be one of our best choices in the current Covid-19 pandemic because of its direct and indirect anti-viral activities with minimal side effects. Virucidal activity can reduce infection load, prevent infection and or may be of a value for significant treatment.
Keywords: COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; pandemic; garlic; Allicin; inhalation