Histological Evaluation of the Jejunum and Ileum of Rats after Administration of High Dose Garlic Aqueous Extract

Abstract

Abstract:Objectives: This study investigated the adverse effects of excessive consumption of garlic on the small intestine (jejunum and ileum) of adult male Wistar rats.Methodology: Sixteen (16) Wistar rats with average weight of 181.5 g were grouped into two: Control Group A which received distilled water, and Treatment Group B which received 1000 mg/kg/ml aqueous extract of garlic, orally for 28 weeks. The aqueous extraction of raw garlic was done to obtain a concentration of 1000 mg/kg/ml. The animals were sacrificed by cervical dislocation after the last day of administration, and tissues for histological studies were fixed in buffered formalin, while those for enzyme studies were homogenised, and appropriate biochemical kits used to study the activities of acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Results:The histological sections of the jejunum of animals that received the high dose of aqueous garlic extract revealed the presence of vacuolations, cell death and loss of epithelium, and intact muscle layer; the Periodic-Acid Schiff (PAS) positivity also reduced, while the ileum also showed degeneration of the brush borders, loss of epithelial cells, reduction in the number of goblet cells, vacuolations, and a reduced intensity of PAS positivity. Activities of ACP, ALP and LDH in the jejunum and ileum were increased. Conclusion:Consumption of excessive amount of garlic could cause structural changes to the intestinal tract, which are capable of affecting intestinal functions, such as decrease in glycogen activity in the small intestine, and impairment of the absorptive activities.

Effect of Heat-Treated Garlic (Allium sativum L.) on Growth Parameters, Plasma Lipid Profile and Histological Changes in the Ileum of Atherogenic Rats

“…Excessive consumption of garlic, especially raw, may also result in digestive disorders, such as excessive gas production and flatulence, heartburn, reflux, nausea and vomiting (especially when consumed on an empty stomach), abdominal pain, constipation, or diarrhea [1,26,27]. The available literature shows that an excessive supply of raw garlic in the diet leads to redness and inflammation, as well as ulceration and damage to the gastric and intestinal mucosa [55].…”

“…According to the scientific literature, excessive and prolonged consumption in particular of fresh garlic [23] may increase the activity of liver enzymes and exert hepatotoxic effects [24], or have a cytotoxic effect on other cells and tissues, including lungs, heart, stomach, and intestines [25], leading to severe dysfunction and damage to these organs, and even death of animals [26]. Garlic may increase the activity of some tissue enzymes, including acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the small intestine and in the blood serum of rats [27], and thus have an adverse effect on the functioning of the intestines, causing many disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. It may also lead to the development of inflammation, ulceration of the gastric and intestinal mucosa, impairment of the absorption processes in the small intestine (mainly due to damage), atrophy [28], and shortening the length of the villi [29].…”

“…The results of studies on the effects of garlic in the prevention or treatment of gastrointestinal ailments available in the literature are insufficient, incomplete, and sometimes even contradictory. In addition, they focus on garlic used in various forms (fresh, raw, extract, extract, oil, lyophilizate, or supplements containing garlic bioactive compounds such as allicin) in various doses and at different times, or on different research models [27,[30][31][32][33].…”

The Influence of Plants from the Alliaceae Family on Morphological Parameters of the Intestine in Atherogenic Rats

“…Research conducted so far on the role of garlic and onions in the prevention and alleviation of the course of diseases and ailments of the digestive tract is apparently insufficient, inconsistent, incomplete, and often contradictory. Moreover, they relate to various forms of garlic and onion use (fresh vegetables, fresh extract, freeze-dried forms, oil, and isolated compounds), supplementation time and dose, and finally various animal research models (e.g., rats [67][68][69][70][71][72][73], mice [74], pigs [75], broilers, and chickens [76][77][78][79]) with induced injuries of the gastrointestinal tract [67,69,71,73,74] or infected with pathogenic microorganisms [74]. In the available literature, no information was found on the effect of the addition of raw Alliaceae plants, administered in an atherogenic diet, on morphological changes in the intestine.…”

Potential Effect of β-casomorphin-7 on Lymphocyte and TLR\NF-κB Signaling Pathway in Intestinal Mucosa of Aged Mice

“…The results showed that the thickness of duodenum and jejunum mucosa in the aged model mice was increased compared with that in the young mice and the thickness of ileum mucosa was decreased. It was reported that the ileum was more prone to structural damage in the age-related histological changes of the small intestine (Omotoso et al, 2012). After feeding β-CM-7, the mucosal thickness of the whole small intestine segment was increased at medium dose.…”