The present 18‑month study assessed the long‑term effects of aged garlic extract (AGE) on deep periodontal pockets in generally healthy adults with moderate‑to‑severe periodontal pockets. The present study was a randomized, controlled, examiner‑blind trial, involving four parallel treatment groups, including three AGE dosage groups and a placebo (control) group, with 300 participants in total. Study participants were instructed to use the AGE products at home throughout the study, following both written and verbal guidelines provided at the start. Periodontal assessments, including periodontal measurements, were performed at baseline and at 6, 12 and 18 months. After 18 months, a significant reduction in pocket depth was observed in the AGE groups compared with that of the placebo group, indicating a dose‑response trend. In a multiple linear regression analysis, the baseline pocket depth, smoking status and the amount of AGE consumed on a daily basis were all demonstrated to be predictors of pocket depth. The results of the present study indicate that AGE is effective in improving oral health and further emphasize the potential role of AGE in promoting overall health due to the link between periodontitis and systemic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and atherosclerosis.

More than 90% of bladder cancers are classified as urothelial carcinomas (UC), with approximately 75% of these cases presenting as non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) is the current standard immunotherapy for NMIBC, yet it suffers from limited efficacy, frequent tumor recurrence, and substantial toxicity. These limitations underscore the need for safer, more effective, and accessible alternatives. We investigated whether uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), a natural inducer of immune responses in the bladder, could serve as a novel intravesical immunotherapeutic agent. Using orthotopic bladder cancer models in both mice (MB49-luc) and rats (AY-27), we evaluated the efficacy, specificity, immune dependence, and safety of formaldehyde-inactivated UPEC strains, including mutants with altered type 1 fimbriae expression. Intravesical administration of inactivated UPEC significantly reduced tumor burden and prolonged survival, outperforming BCG in murine models and demonstrating equivalent efficacy with markedly reduced toxicity in rats. The antitumor effect was T cell-dependent and partially mediated by type I fimbriae, which facilitated tumor-specific adhesion. Notably, systemic (subcutaneous) administration of UPEC abrogated efficacy and increased mortality, emphasizing the necessity of localized bladder delivery. In conclusion, we identify inactivated UPEC as a potent, tumor-targeting, and T cell-dependent immunotherapeutic agent with a superior safety profile compared to BCG. This approach might represent a promising and practical alternative for bladder cancer treatment.