Impact of allicin on macrophage activity

► Allicin showed comparable toxicity toward Escherichia coli and Raw 264.7 murine macrophages. ► In Raw 264.7, allicin inhibits NO production, but not oxidative burst. ► Allicin augments TNF-α promoter activity. ► Allicin acts on cell signalling via oxidative inhibition of phosphatases.