SOME PHARMACOLOGICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL STUDIES ON ALLIUM SATIVUM (GARLIC)

Seeds of Allium sativum were extracted with 95 % ethanol for 24 hours, then the solvent was evaporated. Toxicity studies using this extract showed that minimum lethal dose (MLD) and LD so were 2000 and 3000 mg / 100 g b.wt., respectively after oral administration in mice. Toxicity.was accompanied by sluggish movements and respiration as well as some tremblings. Oral administration of 600 and 3000 mg/kg b.wt. Allium sativum extract significantly increased weight of testis and epididymis, while decreased the weight of seminal vesicles and prostate gland. The number and motility percentage of the spermatozon were increased. The studied extract at doses of 600 and 3000 mg/kg b.wt. Significantly decreased level of alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), uric acid & cholesterol but significantly increased those of urea and bilirubin and had insignificant effect on alkaline phosphatase (AP) and creatinine. Moreover; in vivo studies revealed that the tested extract enhanced healing of surgically and pyogenically infected wounds in Guinea pigs when used as dressing in 50-80% solution extract as compared with terramycin ointment and Hydrogen peroxide solution (H2O2). The antibacterial effect of garlic against Staphylococcus aureus (enterotoxogenic) was remarkable at both high and low dose of the extract (locally or systemic) in contaminated surgical wound. The use of garlic extract in feeding rabbits before slaughter and chilling for extending the shelf life of meat. The results showed that both the high dose (3000 mg/kg b.wt.) and low dose (600 mg/kg b.wt.) extended the shelf life of the rabbit chilled meat for 48 hr. and 24 hr. respectively. The use of garlic extract in a dose of 600 mg/kg b.wt. revealed minimal pathological changes in the internal organs, while a dose of 3000 mg/kg b.wt. revealed some degenerative change in both liver and kidneys as well as partial haemolysis of red blood cells (RBCs).