Background: Garlic contains a variety of effective compounds that exhibit variable activities. Aim of work:
This study was carried out to assess the effect of treatment with I.P. injection of water garlic extract
(500mg/kg BW) and/or vitamin E orally (500mg/kg BW) on blood glucose, insulin levels and lipid profile in
diabetic male albino rats. Materials and Methods: Fifty four rats of local strain were used. The animals
were divided into six equal groups: Normal control group, normal garlic-treated group, normal vitamin Etreated group, diabetic control group, diabetic garlic-treated group, and diabetic garlic- and vitamin E-treated
group. Diabetes mellitus was induced by a single IP injection of alloxan (160 mg/kg). This was preceded by
single IP injection of nicotinamide (110 mg/kg) to alleviate alloxan toxicity. The procedure was continued
for 5 weeks. Blood samples were taken at the beginning of the experiment and at the end of 3rd and 5th week.
Results: Diabetic control group showed significant elevation of blood glucose and lipid profile, whereas
insulin levels and body weight significantly reduced. Diabetic group treated with garlic extract showed
significant improvement in blood glucose, insulin, lipid profile and body weight. Diabetic group treated with
garlic extract and vitamin E showed significant improvement in blood glucose and lipid profile. Also, there
was progressive detectable improvement through the experiment in both insulin levels and body weight.
Conclusion: Garlic therapy has a marked effect on improvement of blood glucose, insulin level and lipid
profile in adult male albino diabetic rats.