Comparative efficacy of topical garlic extract and 20% podophyllin solution in the treatment of female genital warts: a triple-blind randomized clinical trial
In brief
Garlic and podophyllin cleared genital warts in about half of women
In a trial of 74 women, four weeks of treatment with either 5% garlic extract or 20% podophyllin led to complete wart clearance in about 51% of participants; overall response rates were also similar. Itching and burning each affected about one in five garlic-treated women, and the short follow-up leaves durability and recurrence unknown.
- Journal
- The Journal of dermatological treatment (Q1)
- Published
- 12 October 2026
- Study design
- Randomized controlled trial
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1b)
- Authors
- Mohsen Naseri, Zahra Sarfallah, Mina Saadat, Fatemeh Masaebi, Maryam Damghanian
- PMID
- 42861727
- DOI
- 10.1080/09546634.2026.2746272
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Dermatology (top studies of the week, 18 October 2026): Comparable efficacy, topical garlic vs podophyllin for genital warts
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Genital warts caused by human papillomavirus are common sexually transmitted infections, with no single therapy providing consistent clearance. Garlic extract has antiviral and antiproliferative properties and may offer a low-cost treatment. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy and safety of topical 5% garlic extract with 20% podophyllin solution in women with genital warts. METHODS: Seventy-four women were randomized to 5% garlic extract (n = 37) or 20% podophyllin (n = 37), applied weekly for four weeks. Wart size and count were assessed using marginal models (generalized estimating equations). The primary outcome was change in mean wart size and the secondary outcome was change in wart count. RESULTS: Mean wart size decreased from 1.61 ± 0.81 to 0.60 ± 0.82 mm with garlic extract and from 2.96 ± 7.99 to 0.62 ± 0.73 mm with podophyllin. The between-group p-value at final assessment was 0.756; group × time interaction p values were 0.329 for wart size and 0.583 for count. Among 35 and 37 participants analyzed, complete response occurred in 18 (51.4%) and 19 (51.4%), respectively; complete or partial response occurred in 23 (65.7%) and 25 (67.6%). Itching and burning occurred in 8 (21.6%) garlic-treated participants each. CONCLUSION: Both treatments reduced wart size and count, with similar response rates. Four-week follow-up precluded assessment of durability and recurrence.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.