Antidiabetic effect of garlic (Allium sativum L.) in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVE: The antidiabetic effect of garlic ethanolic extract (Allium sativum L.) was investigated in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURE: In the present study, oral administration of garlic extract (0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 g/kg body wt.) for 14 days on the level of serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, uric acid, creatinine, aspartate amino transferase (AST) and alanine amino transferase (ALT) in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were evaluated.

RESULTS: Oral administrations of the garlic extract significantly decreased serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, urea, uric acid, creatinine, AST and ALT levels, while increased serum insulin in diabetic rats but not in normal rats (p<0.05). A comparison was made between the action of garlic extract and glibenclamide (600 microg/kg), the known antidiabetic drug. The antidiabetic effect of the extract was more effective than that observed with glibenclamide.

CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the plant must be considered as excellent candidate for future studies on diabetes mellitus.