ANTAGONISTIC ROLE OF MIXED HYDRO-ETHANOLIC EXTRACT OF ALLIUM SATIVUM ON CHROMIUM-INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS

Potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) has been demonstrated to induce oxidative stress and carcinogenic in nature. In the present study, the protective effect of mixed hydro-ethanolic (60:40) extract of Allium sativum (Garlic) was studied against Cr (VI)-induced toxicity of liver and kidney of male albino rat. A group of male albino rats (80-100 g) were obtained and divided into three groups. The animals of first groups were induced by interperitonial injection with K2Cr2O7 at a dose of 0.8 mg per 100 g body weight per day (20% LD) for a period of 28 days. The animals of second of the chromium treated groups serving as the supplemented groups were injected with mixed hydro-ethanolic (60:40) extract of Allium sativum at a dose of 500 mg/kg body weight daily at an interval of six hours after injection of K2Cr2O7 for a period of 28 days. The animals of the third group received only the vehicle (0.9% physiological saline), served as control. After completion of chromium-treatment the animals were sacrifice and intact liver and kidney were dissected out for further use. Measurement of lipid peroxidation (MDA), conjugated dienes and antioxidants were used to monitor the antiperoxidative effects of mixed hydro-ethanolic (60:40) extract of Allium sativum in liver and kidney. The increased lipid peroxides, conjugated dienes and NO release in liver and kidney of chromium-treated rats were accompanied by a significant decrease in the levels of glutathione (GSH and GSSG) and the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferase (G-S-T), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). The important findings in this study corroborated the facts that mixed hydro-ethalonic (60:40) solvent extract of Allium sativum has greater potential benefit in maintenance of oxidative equilibrium, scavenging of ROS and augmented anti-oxidant defense against chromium-induced toxicity in liver and kidney.