Análise morfométrica dos túbulos seminíferos de camundongos suplementados com óleo de alho / Morphometric analysis of seminiferous tubules of mice supplemented with garlic oil

Introdução: O alho (Allium sativum) é amplamente utilizado na culinária e no tratamento e prevenção de diversas patologias. A literatura carece quanto à toxicidade e os efeitos que o consumo exacerbado de alho pode ocasionar no sistema reprodutor masculino. O óleo de alho é composto por compostos voláteis presentes em seus bulbos. Este estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a morfometria de túbulos seminíferos de camundongos suplementados com óleo de alho. Metodologia: Foram tratados 32 camundongos BALB/c machos divididos em 4 grupos experimentais: 1,4 mg/kg (dose terapêutica); 14 mg/kg; 28 mg/kg; e controle incorporado ao farelo de ração. Após o período experimental os animais foram sacrificados e tiveram os testículos removidos e pesados. Após os procedimentos padrões para preparação das lâminas histológicas, foi medida a espessura dos túbulos seminíferos, através da distância da parede até o lúmen. Resultados e Discussão: Através das medições, não foram observadas diferenças estatísticas que pudessem indicar alterações nestas estruturas em animais suplementados com óleo de alho quando comparados aos animais do grupo controle. A partir deste estudo conclui-se que camundongos suplementados com óleo de alho, em diferentes doses, em um período de 35 dias, não apresentaram alterações na morfometria de túbulos seminíferos que pudessem indicar toxicidade.(AU)

Introduction: Garlic (Allium sativum) is widely used in cooking and in the treatment and prevention of various diseases. The literature lacks for toxicity and the effects that excessive consumption of garlic can cause the male reproductive system. The garlic oil comprises volatile compounds in their bulbs. This study aims to evaluate the morphometric of the seminiferous tubules with garlic oil supplemented mice. Methods: We treated 32 BALB/c mice divided into 4 experimental groups: 1,4 mg/kg (therapeutic dose); 14 mg/kg; 28 mg/kg; and control incorporated into feed meal. After the experimental period, the animals were sacrificed and had their testes removed and weighed. Following standard procedures for preparation of histological slides, we measured the thickness of the seminiferous tubules through the distance from the wall to the lumen. Results and Discussion: Through the measurements of the seminiferous tubules, no statistical differences could indicate changes in these structures in animals supplemented with garlic oil compared with the control group were observed. From this study it is concluded that supplemented mice with garlic oil, in different doses, for a period of 35 days, showed no morphometric changes in the seminiferous tubules which could indicate toxicity.(AU)

Hidden dangers in the kitchen: common foods toxic to dogs and cats.

Many foods and food additives that are safe for human consumption can be extremely toxic to pets. Recognizing the clinical signs and clinicopathologic changes associated with these toxins allows prompt initiation of appropriate therapy. As with many other toxins, decontamination and supportive care are the mainstays of therapy for food toxicosis. Educating owners about foods and food additives that are unsafe for dogs and cats can help prevent toxicosis.

Work-related allergic respiratory disease and asthma in spice mill workers is associated with inhalant chili pepper and garlic exposures.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for allergic respiratory disease in spice mill workers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 150 workers used European Community Respiratory Health Survey questionnaires, Phadiatop, serum specific IgE (garlic, chili pepper), spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). Personal air samples (n=62) collected from eight-hour shifts were analysed for inhalable particulate mass. Novel immunological assays quantified airborne garlic and chili pepper allergen concentrations. RESULTS: Mean dust particulate mass (geometric mean (GM)=2.06 mg/m(3)), chili pepper (GM=0.44 µg/m(3)) and garlic allergen (GM=0.24 µg/m(3)) were highest in blending and were highly correlated. Workers' mean age was 33 years, 71% were men, 46% current smokers and 45% atopic. Spice-dust-related asthma-like symptoms (17%) were common, as was garlic sensitisation (19%), with 13% being monosensitised and 6% cosensitised to chili pepper. Airflow reversibility and FeNO>50 ppb was present in 4% and 8% of workers respectively. Spice-dust-related ocular-nasal (OR 2.40, CI 1.09 to 5.27) and asthma-like (OR 4.15, CI 1.09 to 15.72) symptoms were strongly associated with airborne garlic in the highly exposed (>0.235 µg/m(3)) workers. Workers monosensitised to garlic were more likely to be exposed to higher airborne chili pepper (>0.92 µg/m(3)) (OR 11.52, CI 1.17 to 113.11) than garlic allergens (OR 5.08, CI 1.17 to 22.08) in this mill. Probable asthma was also more strongly associated with chili pepper than with garlic sensitisation. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to inhalable spice dust (GM >2.06 mg/m(3)) containing garlic (GM>0.24 µg/m³) and chili pepper (GM >0.44 µg/m(3)) allergens increase the risk of allergic respiratory disease and asthma.

Efficiency of sulphur in garlic extract and non-sulphur homeopathy in the control of the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus.

The objective of the present work was to evaluate the efficacy of a non-sulphur-based homeopathic preparation and a sulphur-containing natural product derived from Allium sativum (Linnaeus) against infestation by the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini) (Acari: Ixodidae). A total of 24 crossbred calves (7 : 8 Holstein : Zebu), aged 6-8 months and maintained in individual stables under tick-free conditions, were divided into three groups. Group 1 (control group) received no treatment; Group 2 was treated with 0.01 g/day of the homeopathic preparation Fator C&MC(®), and Group 3 was treated with 20 g/day of Enxofre-Allium sativum(®). After adaptation to the diet for 1 month, each calf was subjected to artificial infestation with 8000 R. (B.) microplus larvae (aged 7-14 days) twice per week over a 5-month period. Numbers of engorged females were recorded every 14 days and samples of freely released engorged females were collected at 14-day intervals commencing 3 months after the start of the experiment. The engorged females were weighed, incubated for 15 days under biochemical oxygen demand conditions at 27 ± 1 °C and relative humidity >85%, and the weights of the egg masses produced were recorded. Other biological parameters, including reproduction estimate, reduction in oviposition and efficiency of treatment, were determined. A significant reduction in the number of engorged females was detected on animals treated with Enxofre-Allium sativum(®) (Group 3) in comparison with the other two groups. The overall efficiency of the treatment with the sulphur-containing product was 64%, whereas that of the homeopathic preparation was 26%. Under the experimental conditions established, Enxofre-Allium sativum(®) can reduce the intensity of the R. (B.) microplus infestation.

Efeito inibitório in vitro de extrato vegetal de Allium sativum sobre Aspergillus niger Tiegh / In vitro inhibitory effect of Allium sativum extract on Aspergillus niger Tiegh

O sisal (Agave sisalana Perrine ex Engelm.) é a principal fonte de extração de fibras duras vegetais do mundo. No Brasil, o cultivo ocupa extensa área de solos pobres na região semi-árida dos Estados da Bahia, Paraíba e Rio Grande do Norte, em regiões com escassa ou nenhuma alternativa para exploração de outras culturas. Tendo em vista a propriedade inibitória dos extratos vegetais sobre o desenvolvimento de fungos, avaliou-se o efeito inibitório do extrato vegetal de alho (Allium sativum L.) sobre o fungo Aspergillus niger isolados da cultura do sisal. O extrato vegetal foi incorporado ao meio BDA fundente, aproximadamente 45ºC, nas concentrações 0, 500, 1000, 2000, 50000, 10000 e 50000 mg L-1. Os resultados demonstraram que a dose de 50000 mg L-1 de alho foi eficiente na inibição do crescimento do fungo Aspergillus niger "extraídos" da cultura do sisal.

Sisal (Agave sisalana Perrine ex Engelm.) is the main source of plant hard fiber extraction in the world. In Brazil, its cultivation occupies a large area of poor soils in the semi-arid region of Bahia, Paraiba and Rio Grande do Norte States, and in regions with scarce or no alternative to explore other crops. Based on the inhibitory property of plant extracts on fungal development, the inhibitory effect of garlic (Allium sativum L.) extract was evaluated on the fungus Aspergillus niger isolated from sisal crop. The plant extract was incorporated into melting PDA medium around 45ºC, at the following concentrations: 0, 500, 1000, 2000, 50000, 10000, and 50000 mg L-1. (OBS: M. Elena, há duas doses repetidas; creio que a primeira seja 5000). The concentration 50000 mg L-1 garlic extract was effective in inhibiting the growth of the fungus Aspergillus niger extracted from sisal crop.

Proteinaceous cytotoxic component of Allium sativum induces apoptosis of INT-407 intestinal cells.

Garlic has long been known for its wide array of therapeutic effects, including hypolipidemic, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, and possibly anticancer effects; conversely, some adverse effects of garlic, such as acute pain and neurogenic inflammation, have also been reported. However, information detailing the toxicological significance of garlic is scarce. In this study, the cytotoxicities of fresh garlic extract (FGE) and boiled garlic extract (BGE) and their underlying toxic mechanisms were investigated using INT-407 intestinal epithelial cells. A brief exposure (20 minutes) to FGE induced a concentration-dependent increase in cell death (37 +/- 2% at 300 microg/mL), but no cytotoxic effects were induced after exposure to BGE. For FGE, only the high-molecular-mass (>10-kDa) proteins were associated with cytotoxic effects. FGE-treated cells showed morphological changes such as increased cell rounding and fragmentation, suggesting programmed cell death (apoptosis). Apoptosis of FGE-treated cells was evaluated by observing the fragmented multinuclei stained with Hoechst 33342. From the cell cycle analysis, the increase in hypodiploidic cells and in the G2/M phase cell population suggested not only apoptosis but also cell cycle arrest of FGE-treated cells. Pretreatment with N-acetyl-l-cysteine almost completely prevented FGE-induced cell death, suggesting that reactive oxygen species (ROS) may play a key role in FGE-associated cytotoxicity. Consumption of fresh garlic may be linked to potential cytotoxicity of intestinal cells when ROS scavengers are not present.

In vitro evaluation of the amoebicidal activity of garlic (Allium sativum) extract on Acanthamoeba castellanii and its cytotoxic potential on corneal cells.

Free-living protozoa of the genus Acanthamoeba can cause one of the most severe, potentially sight-threatening infections of the eye, the so-called A. keratitis. A. keratitis is difficult to treat because, under adverse conditions, the amoeba encyst and medical therapy is often less effective against cysts than against trophozoites. The aim of this study was to investigate evaluate the in vitro effect of the nonpolar subfraction of the methanol extract of garlic (Allium sativum) on the growth of A. castellanii trophozoites and cysts and also its cytotoxicity on corneal cells in vitro. Extract was evaluated for its amoebicidal activity, using an inverted light microscope. The effect of the nonpolar extract with the concentrations, ranging from 0.78 to 62.5 mg/mL on the proliferation of A. castellanii trophozoites and cysts, were examined in vitro. For the determination of cytotoxicity of the extract on corneal cells, agar diffusion tests were performed. The present study demonstrates the in vitro effectiveness of the garlic against the A. castellanii growth curve. Evaluations revealed that garlic inhibits trophozoite growth in dose- and time-dependent ways. In the case of the cyctotoxic acitivities, it showed no cytotoxicity for the cornea cells in the concentration of 3.90 mg/mL. These findings indicate that nonpolar subfraction of the methanol extracts of garlic has amoebicidal, as well as its cysticidal, properties on Acanthamoeba trophozoites and cysts. Garlic alone, and in combination with other amoebicidal agents, may be used in clinical practices after further investigations.

Garlic hepatotoxicity: safe dose of garlic.

Information on the effect of garlic on the liver and optimal dose of garlic to avoid liver damage is not known. This study was planned to determine the safe dose of garlic. Male wistar rats (110-170g) were fed fresh garlic homogenate (FSH) orally in three different doses (1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 g/kg body weight/day) daily for 28 days. Liver histology, serum transaminases, bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase were estimated at 0, 14, 21 and 28 days in control and experimental animals. 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 g/kg body weight/day of garlic showed significant (P<0.001) deterioration in liver function tests (LFT's) after 21, 14 and 7 days respectively. A 1.0 g/kg body weight/day dose of garlic was associated with marked histological damage in liver after 21 days. Therefore, three lower doses of garlic (0.1, 0.25 and 0.5 g/kg body weight/day) were given orally to another group of similar rats to determine the safe dose of garlic. LFT's were serially measured and animals were sacrificed on the 29th day of experiment. All three lower doses showed significant deterioration in the LFT's values of animals after 28 days of feeding the freshly prepared garlic homogenate. Both doses of garlic i.e. 0.1 and 0.25 g/kg body weight/day were associated with normal histology of liver, but 0.5 g/kg body weight/day dose of garlic showed morphological changes in the liver of one animal. Therefore, the present study suggests that garlic with high dose has the potential ability to induce liver damage and low doses (0.1 or 0.25 g / kg body weight/day) are safe doses of garlic.

Tropical green leafy vegetables prevent garlic-induced hepatotoxicity in the rat.

Garlic (Allium sativum) is popularly consumed because of its role in the treatment and management of several diseases. However, unregulated and chronic intake of garlic can cause damage to cells through the production of free radicals. This study was carried out in order to assess the ability of some tropical green leafy vegetables (Telfairia occidentalis, Solanum macrocapon, Corchorus olitorius, Baselia alba, Cnidoscolus acontifolus, Amarantus cruentus, and Ocimum gratissimum) to prevent garlic-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Wistar strain albino rats were fed diet containing 4% garlic along with or without 40% green leafy vegetable supplement for 14 days. Thereafter, the feeding trial was terminated, the serum of the blood was prepared, and the liver, spleen, intestine, and organ were isolated for gross pathological investigation. The results of the study revealed that there was a significant increase (P < .05) in serum glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (SGOT) and glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) of the albino rats fed diet containing 4% garlic supplement when compared with the rats fed the basal diet without garlic and vegetable (40%) supplement. However, there was a significant decrease (P < .05) in the serum total protein and albumin levels in those rats. Conversely, there was a consistent significant decrease (P < .05) in the SGOT and SGPT of the rats fed diet containing garlic (4%) and T. occidentalis (40%) and C. acontifolus (40%) supplement compared with those rats fed diet containing garlic (4%) supplement, while there were no consistent significant decrease in those rats fed diet with garlic (4%) alongside with 40% of other leafy vegetables (S. macrocanum, C. olitorius, B. alba, A. cruentus, and O. gratissimum). An increase in serum level of total protein and albumin was also observed in the rats fed T. occidentalis and C. acontifolus. Thus, T. occidentalis and C. acontifolus proved to be better vegetables in preventing garlic-induced hepatotoxicity compared with the other vegetables used in this study.

Association of maximum voluntary dietary intake of freeze-dried garlic with Heinz body anemia in horses.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize hematologic and clinical consequences of chronic dietary consumption of freeze-dried garlic at maximum voluntary intake in horses. ANIMALS: 4 healthy sex- and age-matched horses. PROCEDURE: An initial garlic dose (0.05 g/kg, twice daily) was fed to 2 horses in a molasses carrier as part of their normal ration and was gradually increased to maximum voluntary intake (0.25 g/kg, twice daily) over 41 days. Dietary supplementation then continued for a total of 71 days. Two control horses were fed molasses with no garlic with their ration. Blood samples were collected weekly and analyzed for hematologic and biochemical changes, including the presence of Heinz bodies. Recovery of affected blood values was followed for 5 weeks after termination of dietary supplementation with garlic. RESULTS: At a daily dose of > 0.2 g/kg, horses fed garlic developed hematologic and biochemical indications of Heinz body anemia, as characterized by increases in Heinz body score (HBS), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin, platelet count, and serum unconjugated and total bilirubin concentrations and decreases in RBC count, blood hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, and serum haptoglobin concentration. Recovery from anemia was largely complete within 5 weeks after termination of dietary supplementation with garlic. Heinz body score and MCV remained high at the end of the 5-week recovery period. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Horses will voluntarily consume sufficient quantities of garlic to cause Heinz body anemia. The potential for garlic toxicosis exists when horses are chronically fed garlic. Further study is required to determine the safe dietary dose of garlic in horses.

Prevention of garlic-induced hemolytic anemia using some tropical green leafy vegetables.

Garlic (Allium sativum) is popularly consumed in Nigeria because of its health benefit in treatment and management of several disease conditions. However, excessive intake of garlic may cause hemolytic anemia. This project sought to investigate the ability of some commonly consumed tropical green leafy vegetables-namely, Amaranthus cruentus, Baselia alba, Solanum macrocarpon, Ocimum gratissimum, and Corchorus olitorius-to prevent garlic-induced hemolytic anemia. Wister strain albino rats were fed diet containing 4% garlic with or without 40% vegetable supplement. The study showed that there was a decrease in daily feed intake (6.7-7.2 g/rat/day), daily weight gain (0.7-1.5 g/rat/day), and digestibility (70.4-91.5%) of rats fed diet with garlic (4%), with or without vegetable (40%) supplement, compared with those rats fed the basal diet without garlic (4%) and vegetable (40%) supplement (digestibility, 95.5%; daily feed intake, 7.5 g/rat/day; and daily weight gain, 2.0 g/rat/day). However, there was a significant decrease (P < .05) in the packed cell volume (PCV) (31.0%), hemoglobin (Hb) (10.2 g/dL), red blood cells (RBCs) (4.3 x 10(6)/microL), and white blood cells (WBCs) (3.5 x 10(6)/microL) of rats fed diet with garlic (4%) but without vegetable compared with those rats fed diet without garlic (4%) and vegetable (40%) supplements (PCV, 38.2%; Hb, 13.0 g/dL; RBCs, 5.5 x 10(6)/microL; and WBCs, 4.0 x 10(6)/microL). Conversely, there was a significant increase in the PCV (33.5-35.6%), Hb (12.0-12.5 g/dL), and RBCs (4.9-5.3 x 10(6)/microL) of rats fed diet with garlic (4%) and vegetable (40%) supplement compared with rats fed diet with 4% garlic supplement (except S. macrocarpon and C. olitorius). Furthermore, there was a significant decrease (P < .05) in mean corpuscular volume (69.2-72.0 fL) of rats fed the basal and those fed diet with garlic and vegetable (except C. olitorus and S. macrocarpon) supplement compared with the rats fed diet with garlic but without vegetable supplement (74.5 fL). This therefore implies that garlic could induce hemolytic anemia in rats. However, such anemia could be prevented by some tropical green leafy vegetables such as A. cruentus, B. alba, and O. gratissimum.

Acute and chronic toxicity study of fish oil and garlic combination.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the acute and chronic toxicology of oral intake of fish oil (omega-3 fatty acid) and garlic combination food supplements. These supplements were proven to have beneficial effects on the lipid profile. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the potential long-term effects of fish oil and garlic combination supplements on the biochemistry of organ structure and function. The hypothesis to be tested was that acute and chronic high-dose supplements of fish oil and garlic may not adversely affect organ histology but may influence certain metabolic activities. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was carried out using 28 Sprague Dawley rats separated into a placebo group (16 rats) and a supplement group (12 rats). The supplement group received the ingredients in chow inserts at a dosage that was equivalent to three times the maximum safe daily dosage for fish oil and the usual daily dosage for garlic (the maximum safe daily dosage recommended by the United States Food And Drug Administration for a 70-kg human is a total of 3 g/day intake of EPA and HDA omega-3 fatty acids from conventional and dietary sources. The usual daily garlic usage is garlic powder = 1200 mg). The study was conducted over a period of 12 months with evaluations performed at baseline, 2 months, 6 months, and 12 months. Results confirm the expected acute triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL suppression at these higher dosages in the supplement group. Acutely and chronically, there were no differences in external appearance, level of activity, daily food consumption, blood cell count, kidney function, thyroid function, prothrombin time (PT), and activated partial prothrombin time (PTT), which remained within normal ranges in the supplement group. Organ histology remained unchanged. Although during the chronic toxicity period the triglyceride and LDL suppression persisted, it was noted that total cholesterol and HDL levels increased. The increase in cholesterol and HDL in the supplement group during chronic toxicity periods is simultaneous with loss of suppression of plasma levels of other liver function marker enzymes, ALT and AST, which are not involved in cholesterol synthesis. This possibly suggests that other liver enzymes involved in cholesterol synthesis, such as HMG-co A reductase, follow a similar escape from suppression.

Hematologic changes associated with the appearance of eccentrocytes after intragastric administration of garlic extract to dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether dogs given garlic extract developed hemolytic anemia and to establish the hematologic characteristics induced experimentally by intragastric administration of garlic extract. ANIMALS: 8 healthy adult mixed-breed dogs. PROCEDURE: 4 dogs were given 1.25 ml of garlic extract/kg of body weight (5 g of whole garlic/kg) intragastrically once a day for 7 days. The remaining 4 control dogs received water instead of garlic extract. Complete blood counts were performed, and methemoglobin and erythrocyte-reduced glutathione concentrations, percentage of erythrocytes with Heinz bodies, and percentage of eccentrocytes were determined before and for 30 days after administration of the first dose of garlic extract. Ultrastructural analysis of eccentrocytes was performed. RESULTS: Compared with initial values, erythrocyte count, Hct, and hemoglobin concentration decreased to a minimum value on days 9 to 11 in dogs given garlic extract. Heinz body formation, an increase in erythrocyte-reduced glutathione concentration, and eccentrocytes were also detected in these dogs. However, no dog developed hemolytic anemia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The constituents of garlic have the potential to oxidize erythrocyte membranes and hemoglobin, inducing hemolysis associated with the appearance of eccentrocytes in dogs. Thus, foods containing garlic should not be fed to dogs. Eccentrocytosis appears to be a major diagnostic feature of garlic-induced hemolysis in dogs.

Histopathological effects of garlic on liver and lung of rats.

The comparative toxic effects of oral and intraperitoneal administration of garlic extracts on lung and liver tissue of rats were studied. Administration of low doses of garlic (50 mg/kg) to rats either orally or intraperitoneally had little effect on lung and liver tissues as compared to control animals. In contrast, administration of high doses of garlic (500 mg/kg) resulted in profound changes in lung and liver tissues of rats. Intraperitoneal administration of the high dose of garlic was more damaging to lung and liver tissue of rats than oral administration.

Garlic and its significance for the prevention of cancer in humans: a critical view.

Recently published results of epidemiologic case-control studies in China and Italy on gastric carcinoma in relation to diet suggest that consuming garlic may reduce the risk of gastric cancer. Chemical constituents of garlic have been tested for their inhibiting effect on carcinogenesis, using in vitro and in vivo models. In most experiments inhibition of tumour growth was established using fresh garlic extract, garlic compounds or synthetically prepared analogs. In this review the strengths and weaknesses of the experiments are discussed and the outcomes are evaluated to assess the possible significance of garlic or garlic compounds for the prevention of cancer in humans. It is concluded that evidence from laboratory experiments and epidemiologic studies is presently not conclusive as to the preventive activity of garlic. However, the available evidence warrants further research into the possible role of garlic in the prevention of cancer in humans.

[Toxic effects induced by the repeat administration of Allium sativum L]. / Effets toxiques engendrés par une administration réitérée d'Allium sativum L.

Female and male rats were given 300 and 600 mg/kg/24 h of a Garlic bulb aqueous extract for 21 days. The results showed that garlic extract causes toxic effects affecting weight growth, biologic parameters and histologic structures.

Toxic effects of garlic extract and garlic oil in rats.

Significant rise in urea and D-aspartate aminotransferase and inhibition of alkaline phosphatase in serum were observed in rats fed garlic extract (2 ml/100 g body wt, intragastrically) for 10 days. The liver showed histological changes. Garlic oil feeding (10 mg/100 g body wt, intragastrically) after 24 hr fasting was found lethal. The cause of death appears to be acute pulmonary oedema. On histological examination, all the organs of the dead rats revealed severe congestion. However, similar feeding of garlic oil was well tolerated by rats in the fed state. Also, 24 hr fasted rats could tolerate this dose of garlic oil, provided they were previously adapted to garlic oil feeding.