Hepatoprotective and antiapoptotic role of aged black garlic against hepatotoxicity induced by cyclophosphamide

Background: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is an anticancer drug utilized for treatment of many types of cancer. CP causes many side effects such as hepatotoxicity and mutagenicity. Garlic has long been used as a spice and food additive and is considered as one of the important medicinal plants. Garlic had medicinal importance as it has hepatoprotective, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, antihypertensive, and antihyperlipidemic properties. The purpose of the presented study is to investigate the protective role of aged black garlic against cyclophosphamide-induced hepatotoxicity and apoptosis. The present work was carried out by routine histological H&E stain, histochemical Feulgen stain for DNA, immunohistochemical stain Bcl-2 as apoptotic marker, comet assay, serum biochemical analysis for liver function markers (ALT, AST, albumin, and bilirubin), and hepatic oxidative stress markers (MDA, CAT, SOD, and GPx). Results: Cyclophosphamide induced histological alteration as fatty degeneration, blood venous congestion, pyknosis, necrosis, and vaculations. CP caused a decrease of DNA content, an increase of Bcl-2 immunoreactivity, and increase of DNA damage. Biochemical investigations showed that CP induced significant elevation of ALT, AST, bilirubin, and hepatic MDA. Moreover, CP induced reduction of albumin and hepatic SOD, CAT, and GPx values. Aged black garlic induced significant improvement of alterations induced by CP, when compared with CP-treated group. Conclusion: Aged black garlic succeeded in protecting the liver from apoptosis and pathological alterations induced by CP.