Treatment of alloxan diabetic rats with the antioxidant S-allyl cysteine sulfoxide (SACS) isolated from garlic (Allium sativum Linn), ameliorated the diabetic condition almost to the same extent as did glibenclamide and insulin. In addition, SACS controlled lipid peroxidation better than the other two drugs. Furthermore, SACS significantly stimulated in vitro insulin secretion from B cells isolated from normal rats. Hence it can be surmised that the beneficial effects of SACS could be due to both its antioxidant and its secretagogue actions. The former effect is more predominant and the latter is only secondary. These effects highlight the therapeutic value of garlic, which is a component of many diets.

No abstract

No abstract

On oral administration of onion (Allium cepa L.) and garlic (A. sativum L.) sulfoxide amino acids viz., S-methylcysteine sulfoxide (SMCS) and S-allylcysteine sulfoxide (SACS) to alloxan-diabetic rats for a month, their diabetic condition, being characterized by glucose intolerance, weight loss, depletion of liver glycogen, etc., was ameliorated as comparable to rats treated with glibenclamide and insulin. However, only the last two drugs significantly increased the conversion of labelled acetate to liver cholesterol which indicates a deterrent effect of the allium products against the synthesis of a risk factor.

No abstract

The dietary consumption of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables is inversely correlated with the incidence of various diseases like cardiovascular diseases and lung cancer. We have tried to find out how far the S-allyl cysteine sulfoxide (SACS) isolated from garlic (Allium sativum L.) can combat the nicotine-induced peroxidative damage in rats. The effects have been compared with the standard antioxidant vitamin E. Administration of SACS or vitamin E (100 mg/kg) to nicotine (0.6 mg/kg) treated rats for 21 days showed decreased concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, hydroperoxides, and conjugated dienes in liver, lungs, and heart as compared with the values found in rats treated with nicotine alone. The activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase increased. The levels of the antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E in the liver and glutathione in all tissues increased significantly in SACS-treated or vitamin E fed rats. However, the antioxidant status was higher when vitamin E was administered as compared with SACS administered to nicotine-treated rats.

Daily feeding of drinking water containing lead acetate (160 mg/l) or 10% alcohol by volume or a combination of both to rats for a month produced certain deleterious effects through oxidative stress. Both heavy metal lead and alcohol are capable of doing such damages. The deleterious alterations observed were in the parameters of blood, serum and tissues, viz; Hb, Pb, proteins, lipids, lipid per oxidation, Vitamins C and E levels and enzyme activities of AST, ALT, and catalase. Simultaneous feeding of either of the two antioxidants garlic oil (GO) and vitamin E at equal doses of 100 mg/kg/day, to the rats counteracted the deleterious effects of the above two chemicals significantly. The maximum damage was brought about by feeding of drinking water containing both lead acetate and alcohol. The protective effects of GO and Vitamin E were not significantly different. The mechanism of actions of the Vitamin E and GO is probably due to their efficiency as detoxifying agents and antioxidants, to scavenging free radicals as well as an independent action of GO on the removal of lead salt as lead sulfide.

No abstract