Efectos del Allium sativum, ajo, en pacientes con dislipidemia en la ciudad de Huancayo. Estudio preliminar / Effects of Allium sativum, garlic, in patients with dyslipidemia in the city of Huancayo. Preliminary Study

Objetivo: Determinar el efecto del consumo de cápsulas de Allium sativum en una dosis diaria de 1 g por 12 semanas en pacientes con dislipidemia residentes en la ciudad de Huancayo (3200 msnm). Materiales y Métodos: Estudio experimental de un solo grupo de intervención con comparación pre-post. Se evaluaron a 33 sujetos (hombres y mujeres) con diagnóstico de dislipidemia de acuerdo a los criterios ATP III; quienes recibieron cápsulas con dosis de 1g diario por doce semanas. Se analizaron los valores de colesterol total, LDL-c, HDL-c y triglicéridos antes y después de la intervención. Resultados: Después de doce semanas, se encontraron reducciones estadísticamente significativas (p<0.001) de los valores de colesterol total (Δ 62.4 mg/dl; IC 95%: 59.1-65.7), LDL-c (Δ 63.7 mg/dl; IC 95%: 60.3-67.1) y Triglicéridos (Δ 21.5 mg/dl; IC 95%: 14.3-28.7) y aumento del HDL-c (Δ 4.1 mg/dl; IC 95%: 2.9-5.3). Conclusión: La intervención por doce semanas con cápsulas de Allium savitum en pacientes con dislipidemia mostró efectos estadísticamente significativos en los niveles de colesterol total, LDL-c, HDL-c y triglicéridos. Se recomienda realizar estudios clínicos aleatorizados para poder evaluar en real magnitud las tendencias observadas en estos resultados preliminares.

Hypoglycemic and anti apoptotic effect of garlic in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Diabetes mellitus is caused by many factor include oxidative stress that leads to apoptosis of beta cells of the pancreas and so the antioxidant therapy strongly correlated with decrease risk of diabetes mellitus. The aim of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of an aqueous extract of raw garlic in controlling serum glucose, plasma c peptide of insulin, level of reduced glutathione and catalase activity in pancreatic tissue, also to estimate caspase 3 activity expression in pancreatic tissue in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats treated daily with garlic extract intraperitoneally [IP] for 6 weeks. This study was carried on 30 rats: grouped into 3 group. Group 1, the control normal group, was injected IP daily with 0.5 ml saline and group 2; diabetic group was injected with streptozotocin, 60 mg/Kg body weight [BWt] IP in 0.5 ml saline once and group 3; garlic-treated group, was injected IP daily with 500 mg/kg of the garlic extract 2 weeks before streptozotocin and 4 week after streptozotocin injection. There was a significant increase in blood glucose in streptozotocin group II [p = 0.001] as compared with control groups [331.3 +/- 16.15 vs 101.8 +/- 4.02 mg/dl] respectively and significantly decreased after treatment with garlic extract [161.5 +/- 5.28 mg/dl]. C peptide was significantly decreased in streptozotocin group II [p = 0.001] as compared with control groups [0.034 +/- 0.003 vs 0.053 +/- 0.001 ng/ml] respectively and significantly increased after treatment with garlic extract [0.046 +/- 0.003]. Catalase activity of pancreatic tissue was significantly decreased in streptozotocin group [p = 0.001] as compared with control groups [11.10 +/- 0.73 vs 25.7 +/- 0.55 U/gm tissue] respectively and significantly increased after treatment with garlic extract [20.3 +/- 0.66]. Reduced glutathione content of pancreatic tissue was significantly decreased in streptozotocin group [p = 0.001] as compared with control groups [0.67 +/- 0.055 vs 1.23 +/- 0.076 mg/g tissue] respectively and significantly increased after treatment with garlic extract [0.89 +/- 0.080 mg/g tissue]. Also it was observed that the expression of caspase 3 protein in the pancreatic tissue was decreased after garlic treatment using western blot technique. These results revealed that aqueous extract of raw garlic may have antioxidant and antiapoptotic activity that could be used in treatment of diabetes mellitus

Modulation the oxidant - antioxidant imbalance induced by thioacetamide in liver of albino rats

The effect of free radicals on human beings has come to attract considerable attention due t their close relation to toxicity and disease. The aim of the present investigation is to evaluate the antioxidant efficacy of fresh garlic extract [FGE], aged garlic extract [AGE] and ginger ethanolic extract [GEE] against the oxidative stress induced by thioacetamide administration. Silymarin and Hipamax plus [HP] were employed in the current study as reference materials used in the treatment of liver diseases. Intraperitoneal [ip] administration of thioacetamide [200 mg/kg b.wt., three times a week for four weeks] induced oxidative stress that confirmed by the significant elevation of malondialdehyde [MDA, as an indicator of lipid peroxidation], nitric oxide [NO], myeloperoxidase activity [MPO] with the decline in glutathione content [GSH] and the activities of superoxide dismutase [SOD], glutathione peroxidase [GSHPx], glutathione S-transferase [GST] in liver tissue. Meanwhile, there was no change in protein carbonyl. The pre and co-administration of fresh garlic extract, aged garlic extract and ginger ethanolic extract with thioacetamide significantly reduced MDA, NO, MPO activity and enhanced the activity of SOD, GSHPx, GST and markedly increase GSH content in liver tissue. In conclusion, the test materials employed in the current study displayed well marked antioxidant potency and more pronounced antioxidant potency was exerted by AGE

Role of allium sativum in the protection against oxidative stress and associated biochemical changes in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats

Oxidative stress is involved in both pathogenesis and complications of diabetes. The need to identify agents with a potential for preventing such damage and complication has assumed great importance. The present study was devoted to the assessment of the effect of chronic oral administration of raw garlic homogenate on oxidative stress and associated biochemical changes in streptozotocin [STZ]-induced diabetic rats. Male Sprague- Dawley rats weighing 180-200 g were used. Rats were divided into four groups 6 rats each. Group 1: is a control group in which rats received only 0.5 ml of vehicle [citrate buffer pH 4.5] as a single intraperitoneal [i.p.] dose. Group II: in which rats were treated orally with 20% raw garlic homogenate in distilled water in a dose of 500 mg/kg once a day for 30 days. Group III: rats were treated with 0.5 ml 2.4% solution STZ in citrate buffer in a single i.p. dose of 60 mg/kg. Group IV: rats were treated with 0.5 ml 2.4% solution STZ in citrate buffer in a single i.p. dose of 60 mg/kg, plus orally with 20% raw garlic homogenate in distilled water in a dose of 500 mg/kg once a day for 30 days. Blood aliquots were collected for serum separation. Serum levels of glucose, aspartate aminotransferase [AST], alanine aminotransferase [ALT], alkaline phosphatase [ALP], bilirubin, urea and creatinine as well as total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were evaluated. HDL-cholesterol was also determined. The animals were then sacrificed and specimens were taken from the liver and kidney tissues and tissue homogenates were separated for determination of oxidative stress and antioxidant parameters such as malondialdehyde [MDA], reduced glutathione [GSH] and catalase [CAT] levels. Chronic oral administration of raw garlic homogenate produced a significant reduction in the serum levels of glucose[P<0.01], AST [P<0.05], ALT[P<0.05], ALP [P<0.05], bilirubin [P<0.01], urea [P<0.01] and creatinine [P<0.05] in STZ-induced diabetic rats. Furthermore,there was a significant decrease in total serum cholesterol [P<0.05], LDL-cholesterol [P<0.01], VLDL-cholesterol [P<0.05], and triglycerides [P<0.05] and a significant increase in HDL-cholesterol [P<0.01] as compared to STZ -induced diabetic group. On the other hand, hepatic and renal MDA were significantly reduced, [P<0.01] and [P<0.05], respectively. Also, there was a significant increase in both hepatic [P<0.01] and renal [P<0.05] GSH levels and catalase activity [P<0.001] as compared to STZ-induced diabetic rats. Chronic oral administration of raw garlic homogenate attenuates oxidative stress and associated biochemical changes in STZ-induced diabetic rats

Direct, residual and direct + residual effects of sulphur in garlic (Allium sativum)-maize (Zea mays) cropping sequence.

Significant positive effects of 30 kg/ha of sulphur as manifested on yield and yield parameters of garlic were further carried over to following maize crop. Garlic bulb and foliage yield (6.3 and 0.8 t/ha respectively) obtained at 30 kg/ha of sulphur dose was significantly higher over without sulphur (3.7 and 0.5 t/ha respectively) as revealed from two years' pooled data. Similarly number of leaves/plant, weight of cloves/5bulbs and weight/100 cloves at the said sulphur dose significantly increased over without sulphur from 10.5 to 11.9, 98.3 to 141.2 g and from 159 to 217 g in respective manner Increase in grain yield of maize (residual effect) and in the economic yield of the whole cropping sequence (Bulb yield of garlic and grain yield of maize) i.e. direct plus residual effect at 30 kg/ha of sulphur dose over without sulphur was from 28.3 to 47.2 and from 71 to 116 q/ha in respective manner i.e. with significant differences. Sulphur use efficiencies (kg yield/kg sulphur) of these crops at 15, 30 and 45 kg/ha over no sulphur were 57, 43 and 32; 53, 63 and 6 and 160, 150 and 67, all in respective order An optimum sulphur dose of 44.3 kg/ha produced increased bulb yield (over no S) worth Rs 34892 over fertilizer cost giving B:C ratio of 31.5:1. Utilization of sulphur added at 15, 30 and 45 kg/ha rates was 24.1, 19.3 and 15.7% by the garlic crop; and 29.6. 24.5 and 9.02% by the following maize crop, thus, adding up to 54.1, 43.8 and 24.9% by the cropping sequence, all in respective order.

Efficacy of garlic extract on hepatic coccidiosis in infected rabbits [oryctolagus cuniculus]: histological and biochemical studies

The rabbits were divided into three groups, of 12 rabbits each. G1 was the [non-infected non-treated] as control, G2 was the [infected-non treated], and G3 was the [infected and treated] rabbits. Each rabbit in the infected groups were given [10[3]] sporuleted oocysts of Eimeria stiedae per rabbit after forty five days exactly. Faecal sample of rabbits from each group were examined each day post infection till oocysts appeared in faeces. The treatment was given by using suitable dosage of garlic according to body weight. After 15, 21, 28, and 35 days post-treatment faecal oocysts were output. Biochemical parameters as serum liver function [ALT, AST, GGT and ALP] that denoted the he-patic cells injury. The results showed a significant differences in the mean values of oocysts shedding and their mean number in bile ducts between Gs 2 and 3 from the 15[th] day post infection [PI] [mean +/- SD:40.33 +/- 16.72 and 25.17 +/- .56 respectively] till the experimental end on the 35[th] day [55.75 +/- 19.79 and 0.94 +/- 1.43 respectively]. The histopathological alterations were in liver of G2 at the experimental end. Coccidiosis in G2 induced histopathological alterations in liver tissue, marked cytoplasmic vacuolations in hepatocytes with clear signs of karyolysis, and dilatation of sinusoids with increase in Kupffer cells. Leukocytic infiltration around congested blood vessels was noticed. Efficacy of garlic on E. stiedae in infected Gs was resident. The liver of G3 regained almost normal appearance compared to control

Effect of dried garlic powder [allium sativum] on lead content of different tissues following subclinical lead poisoning in goats

Efficacy of garlic [Allium sativum] to reduce tissue lead concentration was evaluated experimentally in goats. Eight crossbred female goats, randomly divided into two groups [A and B] were used. Goats of groups A and B received lead acetate orally at the dose of 80 mg/kg body weight, daily for 5 days. At the end of the period, goats of group B received dried garlic powder at the dose of 45 g/day/animal, orally for 5 days. Goats of group A served as lead exposed untreated controls. Comparison between mean lead concentrations of serum, urine and different tissues [bone, lung, heart, liver, kidney and skeletal muscle] of group A and B at the end of experiment showed respectively 69.6, 32.35,46.7, 34.2,27, 24.8, 9.6 and 46.6 percent reduction in group B [P<0.05]. Use of garlic dry powder following subclinical lead poisoning in goats was found to reduce tissue lead concentration considerably indicating the potential therapeutic activity of garlic against lead toxicity in goats

Effects of garlic and nimodipine on cerebral blood flow and their neuroprotective effects after brain ischemia in rabbit

Nimodipine has been shown to have a neuroprotective effect. Garlic also displays features that are potentially effective in inhibiting ischemic damage. In this study the efficacy of both garlic and nimodipine in preventing ischemic brain injury were assessed. Twenty-four rabbits were divided into four groups: nimodipine-treated group [NP], garlic-treated group [GR], normal saline group [NS], and polyethylene glycol-treated as the vehicle group [VH]. All animals were subjected to 15 minutes of bilateral common carotid artery [CCA] occlusion. NP and GR groups received garlic and nimodipine 60 minutes before occlusion of the CCA respectively. Cerebral blood flow [CBF] was measured by Laser Doppler flowmetry, during and after the occlusion. Histopathology of the brain was blindly evaluated. The percentage of degenerated cells in the hippocampus was estimated and vascular congestion was graded on a 3-point scale [0, I, II]. After reperfusion, nimodipine and garlic increased the cerebral blood flow [CBF] by 41% and 24% respectively. Comparing these values to the extent of CBF increase in the VH and NS [2% in both] groups, the differences were statistically significant [p<0.05]. The percentage of degenerated neuronal cells in zone CA1 was 23%, 31%, 43% and 44% in NP, GR, VH and NS groups, respectively. NP and GR showed a higher grade of congestion compared to control groups [VH and NS][p<0.05]. This study demonstrates that neuronal damage to the rabbit hippocampus is reduced by garlic administration, although nimodipine can increase CBF more effectively

Comparative study of garlic powder and gemfibrozil in patients of ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus

In this study we observed the effects of garlic [Allium sativum] powder on lipid profile in hyperlipidaemic patients [fasting serum cholesterol 280 mg / 100 ml or more and / or triglyceride 180 mg / 100ml or more] suffering from ischemic heart disease [IHD] and diabetes mellitus [DM] and compared its effects with those of the standard lipid regulating drug gemfibrozil [Lopid]. Nine patients suffering from IHD and DM were put on garlic powder [6 gram / day] for a period of four weeks, six patients were put on gemfibrozil [1200 mg/day] for a period of four weeks. After completion of the treatment the lipid profile was again examined. The parameters studied were serum total lipids, cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein- cholesterol [LDL-C] and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol [HDL-C]. The reduction in the garlic treated group of patients of serum total lipids, cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-C was more marked as compared the gemfibrozil treated patients. Garlic increased the mean serum HDL-C levels very significantly. All these changes produced by garlic powder are beneficial in patients of IHD and DM which are at high risk. Serum total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-C directly or indirectly enhance the process of atherosclerosis, while HDL-C slows this process by taking away cholesterol from arteries towards the liver for its metabolism and excretion. So garlic is very useful dietary component for slowing the process of atherosclerosis and its associated complications in high risk patients if used regularly for a long time

effect of allium sativum [garlic] on the adhesion of candida albicans to human buccal epithelial cells

The minimal inhibitory concentration [MIC] of fresh aqueous garlic extract [AGE] on five strains of Candida Albicans was done using the tube dilution method. The effect of preincubation of Candida strains with the 1 MIC and 1/2 MIC of AGE was investigated on the adhesion of Candida to the buccal epithelial cells [EEC]. Preincubation of EEC with garlic and the adhesion of Candida to this pretreated BEC was also investigated on one of the strains. Adhesion of Candida to BEC was significantly reduced in three strains when the strains were incubated or treated with the 1 MIC of AGE, while it was significantly reduced in one strain only, when the Candida strains were incubated with the 1/2 MIC of AGE. The adhesion of one of the straijis to the pretreated BEC with AGE showed significant reduction