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African Journal of Biomedical Research
Ibadan Biomedical Communications Group
ISSN: 1119-5096
Vol. 4, Num. 3, 2001, pp. 139-141
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African Journal of Biomedical Research, Vol. 4, No. 3, Sept, 2001, pp. 139-141
Original article
EFFECTS OF GARLIC ON SOME
HAEMATOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS
F. S. OLUWOLE
Department of Physiology, College
of Medicine, University
of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Received: February, 2001
Accepted in final form: Accepted in final form: November 2001
Code Number: md01068
Influence of garlic on some haematological and plasma
biochemical parameters were studied in rats that had different doses and
duration of garlic pretreatment. 200mg dose of garlic per day for 30 days did
not have any significant change( P>0.05) in the red blood cell count and packed
cell volume. However at 100mg per day for the same duration, garlic increased
red blood cell count and packed cell volume significantly (P<0.05). The
same dose (100mg) of garlic similarly and significantly increased total white
blood cell count (TWBC), neutrophil and lymphocyte counts (P<0.05). Garlic
thus promote leucopoiesis and increases neutrophil : lymphocyte ratio. Garlic
increased sodium and potassium serum levels and may be a good factor in the
maintenance of electrolyte balance.
Keywords: Garlic, haematological parameters, electrolytes.
INTRODUCTION
Garlic commonly known as Allium sativum belongs
to the family liliaceace . The plant has many local Nigerian names like ayo
in Ibo, ayuu in Yoruba and tafarnuwa in Hausa (Gill, 1992).
Garlic extracts have been used in the treatment of a
wide range of disorders in the past (Alan et al, 1995). Sand et al
(1995) has also demonstrated that garlic oil is active against fat infiltration
of the liver. Allicin, diallyl disulfide-oxide, an active ingredient released
from garlic (alliin) is a systemic vasodilator (Sang et al, 1995). Also
reported was garlic containing preparation which showed significant decrease in
diastolic blood pressure in severely hypertensive patients (McMahon and Vargas,
1993). Ether extracts of garlic and partially purified distilled extracts of
garlic have been reported to inhibit human platelet aggregation in vitro
(Apitz-Castro et al, 1983). Treatment with garlic extracts was found to
improve the activation of natural killer cells, the function of T-lymphocytes
and the level of interleukin 2 (Tang et al, 1997). Also in vitro
and in vivo studies showed that aged garlic extracts stimulate immune
functions (Sumiyoshi, 1997).
Due to scanty information on the effects of garlic on
haematological and biomedical parameters, this study was undertaken to
investigate the influence of garlic on certain haematological parameters and
plasma electrolyte levels.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The Drug: Commercial garlic in tableted form of 900mg pure garlic per
tablet (Golden Neolife Diamate (GND) Int, Pretoria, South Africa) was used. The tablets were
dissolved in distilled water according to the required concentrations required
for administration to the rats.
Experimental Animals: Male albino rats weighting between
150 and 220g were used throughout the investigation. These animals were
obtained from the Preclinical animal house, University of Ibadan. They were kept under standard
laboratory conditions, fed with rat` pellets and given water ad libitum.
The animals were later divided into groups for the experimentation.
Experimental Design
The animals were divided into five groups. Group 1
animals which served as control were given 0.2ml of normal saline (0.9% NaCl)
daily for 30 days. Group II and III animals were given 100mg and 200mg garlic
daily for 15 days. Group IV and V animals were given 100mg and 200mg garlic
for 30 days. In all the groups the drug was administered via oral route.
Haematological and Biochemical Studies: On day 16 and 31 respectively,
the rats were anaesthetized with ether after which heart puncture was carried
out
and the blood collected in EDTA bottles between 8 and 9 a.m. Packed cell volume, total and differential white blood
cell counts, red blood cell count, and hemoglobin concentration of each sample
was determined by using standard laboratory procedures. Serum electrolytes
were determined by standard flame photometry. Chloride was assessed by the
method of Schales and Schales (1941), and bicarbonate according to Toro and
Ackermann (1975).
RESULTS
Hematological Study: Table 1 shows changes in red blood
cell (RBC) counts, haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and packed cell volume (PCV)
following garlic treatment in rats. The mean values of RBC and PCV in rats
given 200mg/day garlic for 30days did not significantly differ from the control
(P > 0.05), however, there were significant increases in RBC and PCV for
animals given low dose (100mg/day) of garlic for 30 days (P < 0.05).
Table 1: Red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration and packed
cell volume in garlic treated rats.
Group treatment
|
RBC (x 106 / ml)
|
Hb (g / dl)
|
PCV (%)
|
Control
(NS for 30d)
Garlic (100mg for 30d)
Garlic (200mg for 30d)
|
6.00± 0.10
7.78 ± 0.52*
6.02 ± 0.10
|
15.00 ± 0.41
16.33 ± 0.79
14.25 ± 1.00
|
43.8 ± 1.22
49.7 ± 1.20*
42.7 ± 1.31
|
N = 6; *P<0.05 compared with the control
Table 2: Total and differential white cell counts in short-term and long-term
pre-treated rats with garlic.
White cell indices
|
Control (NS) (12)
|
Garlic pretreatment (MEAN ± SEM)
|
Short-term (15d)
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Long-term (30d)
|
100mg
|
200mg
|
100mg
|
200mg
|
TWBC X103/ML)
|
6.39 ± 229
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6.600 ± 249.05
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7.900 ±163.33*
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6.483 ± 523.18
|
10,100±306.50
|
Neutr (%)
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57.2 ± 3.14
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63.3 ± 0.88
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67.8 ± 1.14*
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56.70 ± 4.08
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61.0±2.34
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Lymph (%)
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39.90 ± 2.84
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38.5 ± 0.89
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29.8 ± 1.01*
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39.0 ± 4.12
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36.2±1.54
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Eosin (%)
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1.42 ± 0.64
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1.30 ± 0.33
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0.83 ± 0.40
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2.0 ± 0.94
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1.33±0.71
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Mono (%)
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1.50 ± 0.40
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2.00 ± 0.68
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1.50 ± 0.34
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2.33 ± 0.87
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2.33±0.82
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Baso (%)
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0
|
0
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0
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0
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0
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P<0.05 Compared with the control; Number of animals
per group are in parenthesis; NS= Normal saline pre-treated rats; TWBC + Total
white cell count, Neutr+ Neutrophils; Lymph + Lymphocyte, Eosin+ Eosinphil
Mono- monocyte, Baso= Basophil
Table 3: Shows the electrolyte levels in rats pre-treated with different doses of
garlic
|
|
Garlic pretreatment
(Means ±Sem
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Short-term (15d)
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Long-term (30d)
|
|
Biochemical parameters
|
Control (NS)
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100mg
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200mg
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100mg
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200mg
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Na+ (mml/1)
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131.16
±0.83
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131.50
±0.85
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134.80
±1.01*
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136.30
±0.67*
|
139.00
±0.73*
|
K+(mmol/1)
|
7.05
±0.17
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7.30
±0.17
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7.92
±0.10*
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8.13
±0.10*
|
8.73
±0.05*
|
Cl (mmol/1)
|
99.67
±0.42
|
99.83
±0.48
|
101.50
±0.85
|
101.10
±0.83
|
104.33
±0.37
|
HC03(mmol/1)
|
20.8
±0.31
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21.00
±0.37
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21.67
±0.42
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21.50
±0.43
|
23.16
±0.31
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Urea (mg/d)
|
30.67
±0.88
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37.33
±0.88*
|
39.16
±1.35*
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38.083
±1.85
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39.80
±1.66*
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N=6.*p<0.05 compare with the control; NS=normal saline
pretreated rats.
Table 2 shows the white cell indices in garlic pre-treated
rats for 15 days and 30days. The neutrophil and lymphocyte levels and the TWBC
of the rats given 200mg garlic per day for fifteen days duration were
statistically higher than the control animals (P < 0.05). There was however
no significant changes in differential leukocyte indices post 30days garlic
treatment except for the significant increase in TWBC following treatment with
garlic for 30 days (P < 0.05). It should be noted that in all group treated
with garlic, there were high neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio.
Biochemical Parameters: The results obtained on the effect of
garlic pre-treatment on biochemical indices are shown in table 3. After `15
days pre-treatment of the animals with 100mg day garlic, the serum electrolyte
levels were not affected. However, the serum levels of Na+ and K+
progressively and significantly increased with both doses and long-term (30d)
of treatment when compared with the control (P<0.05). There were
significant increases in serum urea with 100 and 200mg per day administration
of garlic after 15 days and 30 days post treatment (P<0.05).
DISCUSSION
Preliminary investigation on acute toxicity study in
mice showed that the extract was not toxic to mice at the tested doses.
The study showed that rats given higher doses of
garlic had a preponderance of neutrophil over lymphocyte in respective of duration.
Also, a higher dose of 200mg/day garlic given for a longer period was observed
to cause a significant increase in total white blood cell (TWBC). These data
therefore support the earlier reports by Sumiyoshi (1997) that garlic extracts
stimulate immune functions. This observation may partly explain the role of
garlic in activating the natural killer cells, the function of T-lymphocytes
and the level of interleukin 2 (Tang et al, 1997).
Table 3 shows significant increase in the serum levels
of urea during short and long term treatment with garlic. The serum levels
of sodium and potassium also increased significantly with higher doses of
garlic (Table 3). This finding is suggestive of a mild hyperkalaemic and
hypernatriemic effects. The drug in addition to its other actions may favour
an improvement in renal function by increasing sodium and potassium
reabsorption. The relieve of hypertension by allicin component of garlic may
partly be explained by its secondary effect on possible increase in renal blood
flow which enhances renal reabsorption of basic electrolytes like sodium and
potassium.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The author is grateful to Messrs B.A. Meraiyebu and
H.O. Oyeyinka for their technical assistance.
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© 2001 - Ibadan Biomedical Communications Group
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