Garlic (Allium sativum L.) Protects Hepatic and Renal Toxicity of Alloxan in Rats

Aims: Allium sativum (Garlic) possesses antioxidant principles and is consumed widely as a nutritional agent and for medicinal purposes. This work investigated the effects of aqueous Garlic bulb extract on alloxan-induced plasma elevations of hepatic enzymes and renal biochemical indices in Wistar rats.

Study Design: Twenty rats were divided randomly into three experimental groups, labelled I, II and III) and a control group (group IV) each containing five animals. Experimental groups were given alloxan and different dose levels of Garlic extract, while control group was given vehicle. Plasma levels of renal and kidney markers obtained in experimental animals were compared with control animals.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, in 2015-2016.

Methodology: Group I was injected intraperitoneally, single dose of alloxan (100 mg/kg). Group II and III rats were injected single dose alloxan (100 mg/kg) followed by treatment with aqueous Garlic extract (100 or 200 mg/kg/day, given by oral gavage) for 21 days. Group IV was administered distilled water. The animals were sacrificed and plasma levels of urea, creatinine, albumin, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphate (ALP) were analyzed.

Results: There was significant (P< .05) elevation in the plasma levels of creatinine (25.8%), urea (35.4%), AST (336.7%) and ALT (118.5%) in alloxan alone treated rats compared to control. In Garlic treated rats, plasma levels of all parameters measured were not altered compared to control.

Conclusion: The result suggests that Allium sativum has protective effects on alloxan-induced elevations of plasma biochemical factors of renal and hepatic functions.