Histopathological, morphometric and quantitative study on the effect of garlic against PCBs-induced hepatic toxicity in rats

ABSTRACT

Olychlorinated biphenyls [PCBs] are widespread persistent residual environmental contaminants, which have been widely used for various industrial applications. The present study was designed to investigate the potential protective effect of garlic against the hepatic toxicity of PCBs in rats. Four groups of animals were used in this study [control, garlic, PCBs and PCBs plus gartic] for 15 days. Histopathological and histochemical changes in the liver were investigated. In addition, nuclear area, nuclear volume, the ratio of nuclear volume/cellular volume and fibrotic areas were measured in the liver. Histopathological and histochemical observations showed severe damage in the liver. Garlic co-treatment to the PCBs-administered rats attenuated the increase of the mean values of nuclear area, nuclear volume, the ratio of nuclear volume/cellular volume and fibrotic area. Also, the morphological damage in the liver was reduced and the tissues appeared more or less normal. The present study suggests that garlic may be useful in combating damage due to PCBs toxicity