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The effect of garlic powder on body weight, liver weight and lipid profile of hypercholesterolemic induced female Wistar Albino rats
Abstract
Background: Garlic (Allium sativum L.) is used as a spice and medicinal herb. Extensive clinical and scientific studies support the use of garlic for treatment of hypercholesterolemia; however, the potency of garlic product can vary substantially due to mode of preparation
Objectives: The study assessed effect of garlic powder on high cholesterol diet fed to female albino rats.
Material and method: Twenty four female albino rats weighing 80-130g were used for the study. These were divided into four groups. Each treatment (group) contained six rats and each treatment have 3 replicates of 2 rats per replicate. Group 1 was fed on normal diet (controls) and group 2 was fed on normal diet and garlic. Group 3 was fed on high cholesterol diet only while group 4 was fed on a high cholesterol diet and garlic. The serum lipids, lipoproteins and tissues histological appearances were determined using standard procedures. All statistical analysis was done using statistical packages for social sciences (SPSS) version 20.
Results: The serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) was markedly reduced (p< 0.05) in the groups fed on high cholesterol diet + garlic as well as normal diet + garlic. Results showed significant decrease (p<0.05) in the mean weight of the liver in the group fed on high Cholesterol + garlic diet when compared with group feed on high cholesterol diet. The mean serum high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) was significantly higher (p<0.05) in these groups when compared to the control group. Histological findings showed pronounced atheromatous changes in the coronary artery of rats fed on high cholesterol diet.
Conclusion: The consumption of raw garlic has beneficial effect on plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol and LDLC in rats fed on high cholesterol diet. Therefore, garlic can be used to reduce excess amount of cholesterol in the blood that can endanger health.
