Evaluation of the effect of Allium sativum aqueous extract on serum nitric oxide in mice

Allium sativum or garlic belongs to Liliaceae family. Garlic has been used in the Iranian Traditional Medicine for treatment of different diseases like infections, cancers, digestion disorders and heart diseases. Nitric oxide (NO) is produced in immunity response and inflammatory conditions. According to immunomodulator effect of garlic, the effect of garlic extract on serum metabolites of NO (nitrite and nitrate) in balb/c mice was studied. In this experimental study, 30 balb/c mice (female, 6-8 weeks old) were divided into 6 groups (three groups received garlic and three groups as control). Each mouse received 20 mg/kg/day of garlic extract intraperitonealy for one week (mice in control groups received normal saline). Mice were killed at 24 hours, 1st and 2nd weeks after garlic extract treatment. Serum was prepared and nitrite and nitrate were assayed by Greiss method. Meanwhile, t test was used for statistical analysis. Primary nitrite increased by 7.5% and 29% and nitrite +nitrate increased by 42% and 12% in 24 hours and one week after last injection, respectively. Primary nitrite decreased by 2.5% and nitrite +nitrate increased by 4/8% two weeks after last injection. All t-test values were not significant. One week administration of 20 mg/kg of garlic extract increases serum NO metabolites levels time dependently but not significantly and this effect weakens with time.