Effects of garlic (Allium sativum) on blood sugar and nephropathy in diabetic rats

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the short term effect of aqueous-ethanolic extract of garlic in preventing and curing nephropathy following induced diabetes in rats using streptozotocin (STZ), with the help of stereological methods. Thirty two male wistar rats were randomly divided into control, control+extract, diabetic and diabetic+extract groups (n = 8). Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg kg-1 of streptozotocin (STZ). Treatment with aqueous-ethanolic extract of garlic (50 mg kg-1 day-1) was followed for four weeks, then the left kidneys were excised and stereological studies were carried out. The results revealed that blood sugar of the diabetic rats was reduced significantly following treatment with garlic extract. The final body weight of both diabetic and diabetic+extract groups didn't increase significantly, but in control and control+extract groups the body weight increased significantly (p<0.001). A significant increase in the kidney weight of the diabetic and diabetic+extract rats was found (p<0.001) compared to the control ones. The volume of cortex, medulla and total volume of kidney increased significantly in the diabetic and diabetic+extract groups compared to the control ones. The total glomerular volume increased significantly in diabetic rats compared to the other groups (p<0.05). In conclusion the aqueous-ethanolic extract of garlic influences the volume of total glomeruli but has no effect on the volume of other kidney components. © 2008 Asian Network for Scientific Information.