[Effect of allium sativum extract on acid and pepsin secretion in basal condition and stimulated with pentagastrin in rat]

Allium Sativum [garlic] is used widely in the world and especially in Iran. This plant is used in cooking food as an odorant. In Iran it is believed that it is useful for gastrointestinal disorders. So in this study the effect of Allium Sativumextract on acid and pepsin secretion in rat is investigated. This experimental study is performed on two groups of rats [12 in each group: control group and allium sativum group]. After anesthesia with nesdonal [50 mg/kg, ip], rats had gone under surgical tracheotomy, laparatomy and gasterodeodenostomy. In garlic group Allium Sativum extract [100mg/kg] was introduced into the stomach by gasterodeodenostomy canula. In order to stimulation of acid and pepsin secretion, Pentagastrin was used [25mcg/kg, ip]. Stomach secretion was washed out and acid was measured using titerimetery and pepsin using Anson method. Data was analyzed using T test. Allium Sativum caused a meaningful increase in acid and pepsin secretion in garlic group comparing to control group [p<0.001]. Pentagastrin also increased acid and pepsin secretion in control group [p<0.001]. Using garlic in nutritional regimen causes an increase in acid and pepsin secretion in those using this plant

effect of oral administration of chard on contractile reactivity of isolated aorta in diabetic rats

Chard [Beta vulgaris L. var. Cicla] administration could improve the activity of antioxidant systems such as gluthatione and has a hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic property. To evaluate the effect of oral administration of chard on the contractile reactivity of isolated aorta in diabetic rats. This experimental study was conducted at the School of Medicine, Shahed University in 2003. Male Wistar rats were divided into control, chard-treated control, diabetic, and chard-treated diabetic groups. For induction of diabetes, streptozotcin [STZ] was intraperitoneally administered [60 mg/Kg]. Chard-treated groups received chard mixed with standard pelleted food at a weight ratio of 1/15. After one month, contractile reactivity of aortic rings to KC1 and noradrenaline was determined using isolated tissue setup. Serum glucose level showed a significant increase [409/4 and 401/3 mg/dl] in diabetic group at 2[nd] and 4[th] weeks [P<0.001], while this increase was less obvious in chard-treated diabetic group [274/5 and 161/2 mg/dl] [P<0.01 and P<0.001 for 2[nd] and 4[th] weeks, respectively]. In addition, the latter group showed a lower contraction to KC1 [P<0.05] and noradrenaline [P<0.01] as compared to diabetic group [0/76 and 1.41 g/mm [2] of the aortic ring]. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference between control and chard-treated control groups regarding contractile reactivity. Oral administration of chard for one month could attenuate the contractile responsiveness of the vascular system and may prevent the development of hypertension in diabetic rats