Effect of Garlic (allium Sativum L) on Biochemical Parameters and Histopathology of Pancreas of Alloxan-induced Diabetic Rats

Objective: Garlic (Allium sativum. L) plays an important dietary role, as well as medicinal, for centuries. Even today the use of garlic is widespread and growing. The present study investigated the effect of garlic extract and glibenclamide on biochemical parameters, enzyme activities, and reduced glutathione (GSH) content in the liver as well as on pancreas tissue in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Diabetes mellitus was induced in 28 out of 35 adult male albino rats, using an intraperitoneal injection of 150 mg/kg body weight of alloxan. The diabetic rats were divided into four groups, two of which were administered orally by garlic extract (250 and 500 mg/kg) and a group composed of diabetic rats was given the standard drug, glibenclamide, orally at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg. The control rats (normal and diabetic) were fed normal saline, once daily for 21 d. Results: Oral administration of the garlic extract significantly decreased blood glycosylated hemoglobin, serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, total lipids, glutamic oxalic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, with significant increase in plasma insulin, and GSH content in liver of alloxan-diabetic rats in dose–dependent fashion which was comparable to an antidiabetic standard drug, glibenclamide, given at a dose of 2.5 mg/kg. Concurrent histological studies of the pancreas of these animals have confirmed the changes observed in biochemical parameters and proved the comparable preventive effect of garlic extract. Conclusion: These results suggest the potential of garlic extract as a histo protective against free-radical-associated diabetes damage, preserving the ability of insulin secretion, and show a concentration-dependent antidiabetic effect.