Ameliorating role of fresh garlic on high-fat diet induced liver in albino rats

ABSTRACT

High fat diet has been associated with several metabolic disorders including obesity, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disorders, and fatty liver. The commonest cause of benign fatty liver or steatosis is high fat diet. Garlic is one of the oldest herb used for medicinal purposes, since ancient times. So the present study was undertaken to observe the protective role of fresh garlic on high-fat diet induced fatty liver in albino rats and correlate the results with previous studies. Thirty adult albino rats, weighing from 200-240 grams were taken for this study. The rats were divided into 3 groups according to dietary regimen, Group A received control diet, Group B received high-3aturated fat diet [20 gm butter in 100 gm of diet] and Group C received high-saturated fat diet with fresh garlic [20 gm butter with 6 gm fresh garlic in 100 gm of diet], for 8 weeks at the end of which they were sacrificed and tissue slides stained with haematoxylin and eosin. There was marked increase in weights in rats receiving high-saturated fat diet. Haematoxylin and eosin stained sections showed moderate fatty infiltration with empty spaces in hepatocytes with absent or distorted nuclei in high-saturated fat group which were prevented to a major extent in group receiving fresh garlic along with high-saturated fat diet. This study has proved that use of fresh garlic along with high-fat diet prevents its damaging effects in liver to a great extent