Attenuation of oxidative stress, inflammation and insulin resistance by allium sativum in fructose-fed male rats.

BACKGROUND Fructose is widely used as a food ingredient and has potential to increase oxidative stress. Moreover, the beneficial health effects of medicinal plants are frequently attributed to their potent antioxidant effects. OBJECTIVES The present study was aimed to explore the effects of garlic (Allium sativum) extract on insulin resistance, inflammation and oxidative stress in male wistar rats fed with high fructose diet. MATERIAL AND METHODS Diabetes was induced in male albino Wistar rats by feeding 60% fructose rich diet. The fasting plasma glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, tumour necrosis factor alpha, total antioxidant status and the whole blood reduced glutathione, erythrocyte antioxidant enzyme activities were measured. Differences between the groups were assessed by using One Way Analysis of Variance with (ANOVA) Tukey post-hoc test. RESULTS The diabetic rats showed a significant increase in plasma fasting glucose, insulin, insulin resistance, tumour necrosis factor alpha and malondialdehyde level and decreased levels of total antioxidant status, reduced glutathione, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. Treatment with garlic extract restored all these biochemical changes. CONCLUSION The garlic extract is effective in improving the high fructose induced oxidative stress, inflammation and insulin resistance in male wistar rats.