This study examined the effects of garlic supplementation on interleukin-6 (IL-6) and neutrophil levels in pneumonia patients. The study involved 40 pneumonia patients split into a treatment group that received garlic capsules and a control group. IL-6 and neutrophil levels were measured on the first and sixth days. The results showed a significant decrease in IL-6 and neutrophil levels in the treatment group compared to the control group, indicating that garlic supplementation helped reduce inflammation in pneumonia patients.

1. Yogie Irawan, Harsini, Yusup Subagio Sutanto
PULMONOLOGY AND RESPIRATORY MEDICINE DEPARTMENT OF SEBELAS MARET UNIVERSITY MEDICAL FACULTY
/Dr. MOEWARDI GENERAL HOSPITAL SURAKARTA
2023
DIFFERENCES IN INTERLEUKIN-6 AND NEUTROPHIL LEVELS
IN PNEUMONIA PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT GARLIC
(ALLIUM SATIVUM) SUPPLEMENTATION

2. Introduction
Pneumonia is an acute lung inflammation
caused by various microorganisms such as
bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites.
Uncontrolled and excessive inflammation
in pneumonia patient causes higher
mortality and morbidity rates.
Garlic and its organosulfur content
possess anti-inflammatory activity that
has the potential to be used as additional
therapy in pneumonia patients.
The examination of IL-6 and neutrophils
helps in diagnosis, used as a marker of
inflammation, predictor of mortality and
morbidity, and useful in evaluating the
outcome of treatment.

3. Method
Clinical study with pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design
was conducted on pneumonia patients who were
hospitalized at RSUD Dr. Moewardi Surakarta from August –
October 2022 by consecutive sampling.
The treatment group (n=20) received standard therapy plus
3.5 mg garlic capsules per day for 6 days while the control
group (n=20) received standard therapy. IL-6 and neutrophil
levels were calculated on the first and sixth days.

4. Method

5. Result
Basic Characteristics
Subjects
p Value
Study Control
Gender 0.525
Female 10 (50.0%) 8 (40.0%)
Male 10 (50.0%) 12 (60.0%)
Age 55.90 ± 13.92 57.50 ± 16.85 0.378
PORT PSI Score 81.50 ± 19.42 82.70 ± 12.85 0.819
Occupation 0.78
Housewife 6 (30.0%) 8 (40.0%)
Seller
Driver
Student
Construction laborer
Employees
Farmer
Retired
Unemployed
3 (15.0%)
1 (5.0%)
1 (5.0%)
0 (0.0%)
0 (0.0%)
2 (10.0%)
2 (10.0%)
5 (25.0%)
3 (15.0%)
1 (5.0%)
1 (5.0%)
1 (5.0%)
1 (5.0%)
2 (10.0%)
0 (0.0%)
3 (15.0%)
Smoking history 0.519
Negative 11 (55.0%) 13 (65.0%)
Positive 9 (45.0%) 7 (35.0%)
Table 1. Basic Characteristics of Research Subjects

6. Result Table 2. IL-6 Level Before and After Medication
Subjects
IL-6
p Value
IL-6 Difference
Pretest Posttest
Study 146.69 ± 151.63 53.11 ± 58.14 0.003
-93.58 ± 128.64
Control
97.05 ± 156.37 67.14 ± 78.0
0.881
-29.91 ± 173.42
p Value 0.234 0.665 0,027

7. Result Table 3. Neutrophil Level Before and After Medication
Subjects
Neutrophil
p Value
Neutrophil Difference
Pretest Posttest
Study 13525.90 ± 5210.53
9647.00 ± 3914.68
<0.001
-3878.90 ± 3271.79
Control
11858.90 ± 7520.05 10045.25 ± 3815.19
0.191
-1813.65 ± 4527.84
p Value
0.123 0.746 0.025

8. Discussion
High levels of IL-6 in patients indicate ongoing inflammation and are
associated with clinical symptoms and severity of pneumonia.
Arreola et al. 2015: the organosulfur content of garlic provides an
immunoregulatory effect and affects immune cells thereby reducing IL-6
levels
Shang et al. 2019: garlic can inhibit inflammation by inhibiting inflammatory
mediators such as IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1 so that it has good potential as a
therapy for inflammatory diseases.

9. Discussion
Neutrophils can produce ROS and RNS to kill pathogens, but these toxic
molecules can also damage tissues if their release is excessive.
Alam et al. 2018: Administration of organosulfur content from garlic
significantly reduced neutrophil levels with p<0.05 in the treatment group,
and also reduced IL-6 levels.
Schepetkin et al. 2019: Garlic's organosulfur content suppresses ROS
production by neutrophils, and is an effective therapeutic modulator of
innate immune response.

10. Conclusion
There was a significant IL-6 levels decrease in
subjects who received garlic.
There was a significant neutrophil levels
decrease in subjects who received garlic.
1.
2.

11. Thank You
Yogie Irawan
08117977788
yogi3irawan@gmail.com