Effect of garlic extract on myocardial contractions of isolated rabbit's heart

ABSTRACT

Garlic [Allium sativum L.] has been reported in the literature to be possessing hypotensive property. The effect of the garlic extract was studied on isolated rabbit's heart, as one of the parameters in investigating the mechanism of hypotensive action. Water soluble fraction of alcoholic extract of garlic was used in this study. This fraction has been found to have an inhibitory effect on the isolated rabbit's heart preparation. It decreases the force of cardiac contraction. The degree of inhibition being dose dependent. In high doses [108 mg/kg body wt., and above], produces complete cardiac arrest in partial diastole for 5-6 seconds. Heart then regains the force of contractions quickly in the following 1.6-2.0 minutes. This effect of the extract was not altered by pre-treatment with Atropine. It is also found to have partial antagonistic activity to adrenaline, when administered immediately after adrenaline