Ethanol extract of Allium sativum attenuates testicular and liver toxicity induced by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in rats.
The present study was carried out to investigate the protective role of garlic (Allium sativum) ethanol extract (GE) in 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-induced hepatic and testicular toxicity. A total of 60 male rats (Sprague-Dawley, weighing 200 +/- 10 g) were divided into six equal groups. The normal control group (NC) received vehicle (intraperitoneally) and saline (perorally). A predetermined dosage of TCDD (40 microg/kg of body weight, i.p.) was administered to single TCDD-treated (TT) and test (GE) groups. GE was administered (perorally) at daily doses of 5 (GE5), 10 (GE10), 20 (GE 20), or 40 (GE40) mg/kg of body weight for 5 weeks, starting 1 week before the TCDD exposure. Decreases in body weight gain (P < .01) and testicular weight (P < .01) induced by TCDD were greatly attenuated by GE (P < .05-.01). TCDD-induced decreases in spermatogenesis-related panels--Johnsen's score, seminiferous tubular size, ratio of tubules with sperm, and sperm count/tubule--were greatly improved by GE treatment in a dose-dependent manner in the rats. TCDD-induced increases in serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels and glutamic oxaloacetate activity were also suppressed by GE (P < .05-.01). These results indicate that administration of garlic to TCDD-exposed rats attenuates testicular and hepatic damage, suggesting that garlic might be a useful agent that can protect human health from toxic responses induced by environmental pollutants.
Lee
Su-Chan
SC
Department of Life Science, College of Biomedical & Health Science, Konkuk University, Cheongju-City, Chungbuk, Republic of Korea.
Hwang
Seock-Yeon
SY
Kim
Sung-Won
SW
Kim
Si-Kwan
SK
D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D056486:Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D005737:Garlic; D008099:Liver / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D009929:Organ Size; D010071:Oxaloacetates / Q000378:metabolism; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins / Q000633:toxicity*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013091:Spermatogenesis / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D010071:Oxaloacetates; D010936:Plant Extracts; D000072317:Polychlorinated Dibenzodioxins; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase