The Effect Of Garlic On Plasma Lipids And Lipoproteins In Rats Fed On High Cholesterol Enriched Diet

Garlic has been reported in some populations to possess hypolipdemic effect in particular on low density lipoprotein cholesterol, thus preventing cardiovascular disease risk. Sixteen male albino rats of seven weeks old were purchased for this study. These were divided into four groups of four per group. Group A was fed on a high cholesterol diet and garlic, group B was fed on high cholesterol diet only, group C was fed on normal diet (controls) and group D was fed on normal diet and garlic. The plasma lipids, lipoproteins and tissues histological appearances were determined using standard procedures. Results showed significant decreased in the mean wet tissue weight of the kidney (p<0.001) in the group fed on high Cholesterol+garlic diet. The plasma LDLC was markedly reduced in the groups fed on high cholesterol diet + garlic as well as normal diet+garlic. The mean plasma HDLC although not statistically significant was higher in these groups. Histological findings showed pronounced atheromatous changes in the coronary artery of rats fed on high cholesterol diet. The consumption of raw garlic has beneficial effect on plasma total cholesterol, and LDLC in rats fed on high cholesterol diet.