Chemoprotection of garlic extract toward cyclophosphamide toxicity in mice.

The effect of the administration of an extract of garlic (Allium sativum) was studied in mice that were treated with a chronic lethal dose of cyclophosphamide (50 mg/kg body wt, 14 days). The intraperitoneal administration of garlic (50 mg/animal, 14 days) along with cyclophosphamide reduced the toxicity of the latter considerably with an increase in life span of more than 70%. The administration of garlic extract did not improve the lymphopenia produced by cyclophosphamide or liver alkaline phosphatase, but there was a significant reduction in liver glutamic-pyruvic transaminase. Moreover, garlic extract reduced the level of lipid peroxidation induced in the liver by cyclophosphamide administration. Administration of garlic extract did not interfere with the tumor-reducing activity of cyclophosphamide.