Authors: G. O. Ajayi, T. T. Adeniyi and D. O. Babayemi
International Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences Vol 1. (3) pp. 064-067, March, 2009.
Abstract
The hepatoprotective and some haematological effects of Allium sativum (Garlic) and vitamin C were studied on experimental rats that were exposed to lead (Pb) for one week. Twenty – four female Wistar rats were divided into four groups of six rats per group.
Rats in group A were kept as the control. Rats in groups B, C and D were exposed to 100 μmol/kg body weight of lead acetate intraperitoneally for seven days. Garlic diet (200 g minced garlic/kg diet) and vitamin C (500 mg/kg body weight) were given to rats in groups C and D for additional seven days respectively. Garlic and vitamin C produced significant reduction at p < 0.05 in the levels of ALT, ALP and PCV while the level of AST increases significantly at p < 0.05. The level of Hb increases significantly at p < 0.05 in rats treated with garlic and reduces significantly at p < 0.05 in rats treated with Vitamin C. This study, therefore suggests that garlic and vitamin C have some hepatoprotective and haematological effects.
Key words: Hepatoprotective, haematological, Allium sativum, vitamin C, Lead (Pb).