Effect of chronic oral administration of garlic aqueous extract on tissue changes, some blood and enzymatical parameters in male rats

Garlic (Allium sativum) is among the oldest cultivated plants، which has been used as a medical agent for thousands of years. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the chronic effects of garlic aqueous extract intake on some hematological parameters، serum and tissue changes. Eighteen male wistar rats were assigned into three groups، 6 in each group. Control group was treated with distilled water and groups two and three were treated with garlic aqueous extract (500، 1000 mg/kg respectively) by gavage for fourthy consecutive days. At the end of the study، rats were victimized and hematological، biochemical parameters and histopathological changes were investigated. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA and Dunkann tests. The fidings revealed that garlic extract doesn’t change the values of AST، ALT، ALP، and CPK compare to control group (P>0. 05). Also، no significant changes were found in serum urea، creatinine، LDH and hematological indicators in garlic treated groups compare to control group (P>0. 05). Microscopic findings in group treated with garlic extract (1000 mg/kg) showed glomeruli destruction، loss of brush border of proximal convoluted tubules، degeneration with necrosis of hepatocytes، and infiltration of mononuclear cell to portal space. This study showed that garlic consumption with high dose might cause morphological change in the red blood cell، biochemical parameters and might cause renal and hepatic lesions. Therefore، the use of pilot study for determining the optimal dose of the garlic is necessary for research designs.