Evaluation of Chemopreventive Potential of Garlic Extract on N-Nitrosodiethylamine-Induced Hepatocarcinoma in Rats

Abstract

The protective effects of garlic (Allium sativum) were investigated against N -nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA)-induced hepatic tumourigenesis by assessing tumour marker enzymes; gamma glutamate transpeptidase (GGT), glutathione S -transferase (GST), glucose 6-phosphatase (G6Pase), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), 5'-nucleotidase, aspartate (AST) and alanine transaminases (ALT). The changes in the activities of these enzymes is proportional to the extent of malignancy; thus, they were useful to assess the antineoplastic potency of garlic extract. An elevation in the activities of GGT, GST, 5'-nucleotidase, ALP, AST and ALT and reduction in the activity of G6Pase were observed in rats bearing carcinoma. Oral administration of garlic extract normalised the activities of tumour marker enzymes.