Medicinal plants have served as a longstanding natural resource for human and animal health throughout history, forming the fundamental basis of traditional medicine. According to Davidson-Hunt (2000), they are extensively utilized for the treatment of diverse health ailments, particularly in poor nations. The Indian subcontinent has been endowed with a wide range of medicinal herbs, and the extensive understanding of their therapeutic efficacy over millennia forms the foundation of the Ayurveda and Unani schools of medicine. Medicinal herbs play a crucial role in healthcare provision and have the potential to generate economic benefits. Medicinal plants possess a diverse array of several primary and secondary phytoconstituents. The utilization of these phytoconstituents in the development of medicinal preparations has been documented, indicating their potential as a valuable source for the creation of novel pharmaceuticals (Walter et al., 2014).

Essential oils (EOs) are the resultant compounds derived from aromatic medicinal herbs, which have demonstrated efficacy as antiseptic, antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory agents (Valgimigli, 2012). Garlic, scientifically referred to as Allium sativum, is a plant species that is generally recognized by its vernacular name "Lahsun. It is classified under the Liliaceae family and is indigenous to the Central Asian region. Since ancient times, it has been a fundamental component of human sustenance and traditional medicinal practices. According to Yayeh et al. (2017), the inclusion of garlic in cuisine enhances its acceptance and palatability due to its distinct flavor, aroma, and spicy taste. Consequently, garlic has become an essential component in kitchens across the globe.

The garlic oil (GO) contains a significant amount of organo-sulfur compounds, including diallyl disulfide, allicin, methyl-1-propenyl disulfide, allyl methyl trisulphide, and other minor constituents. These compounds are believed to contribute to the diverse range of biological effects exhibited by GO, such as its antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, hypoglycemic, antihypertensive, and anticholesteremic properties (Fufa, 2019). According to Corzo-Martínez et al. (2007), the organo-sulfur compounds found in garlic possess the potential to function as specific natural antibacterial agents against pathogenic microorganisms, while maintaining the integrity of the beneficial microflora in the gastrointestinal tract.

The majority of essential oils exhibit volatility and are susceptible to oxidation when exposed to ambient oxygen, light, and heat (Kim et al., 2004). Moreover, the broader application of these substances is hindered by several practical limitations, including their strong odor, irritating properties, limited solubility in water, low bioavailability, and susceptibility to physicochemical instability. The researchers have developed various methods of delivery, including the use of soluble polymers for encapsulation, microparticles composed of both natural and synthetic polymers that can degrade naturally, microcapsules, microspheres, lipoproteins, solid-lipid nanoparticles, liposomes, ethosomes, micelles, and neosomes. These novel drug delivery systems (NDDS) have been designed to address the inherent challenges associated with essential oils (Bandawane & Saudagar, 2019). The utilization of NDDSs offers a more favorable prospect for the incorporation of herbal drug agents into diverse delivery systems. This approach presents advantages such as diminished toxicity and enhanced effectiveness, improved permeability leading to heightened bioavailability, as well as safeguarding against thermal and photo-oxidation (Maderuelo et al., 2019).

Ethosomes are specially tailored vesicles mainly containing phospholipids, high alcohol concentrations, and water (Dayan and Touitou, 2000). Ethosomes were found suitable for encapsulating drugs of diverse nature, viz. lipophilic, hydrophilic, and amphiphilic (Azzahra et al., 2020). Prior research has indicated that the inclusion of essential oils (EOs) inside a carrier system for drug administration has resulted in the preservation and augmentation of their antibacterial capabilities (Skalickova et al., 2020). Considering the potential merits of the carrier system, the present study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy of GO-loaded ethosome (GOE) against clinical bacterial and fungal isolates from diverse origins.