Garlic Effects on Gastric Acid and Pepsin Secretions in Rat

Introduction: Garlic (Allium Satiyum) is a plant widely used in traditional medicine. Its anti-hypertensive, lipid lowering, oxidative activities, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal properties have been proven. It has a tonic effects on stomach but its effects on gastric secretion is not known. Propose of study: To investigate the effect of garlic extract on basal and pentagastrin stimulated gastric acid and secretions in rats. Hypothesis: Garlic extract stimulates gastric gland causing increased production/release of basal acid and pepsin level. Garlic acid mask pentagastrin stimulatory response and causes decrease in acid and pepsin secretary level. Method of Testing: Two group of wistar rats (12 in each group) weighing 200-250gm were used. The first group was considered as study group and received garlic extract, the second group was considered as control. Animal were anesthetized with an intraperitoneal injection of sodium thiopental (50mg/kg) and after tracheotomy and ligation of cervical esophagus, laparotomy was done. A cannula was placed in stomach through duodenum and 1ml of normal saline was injected in to stomach in each group. After 30 minutes their stomach were emptied. Next in study group 1ml garlic extract (100mg/kg) and in control group 1ml normal saline were introduced into stomach. After 15 min 1ml normal saline was injected in both groups and immediately all gastric contents were collected in both groups by wash out technique and basal secretions of acid and pepsin were measured. In order to measure pentagastrin effect on gastric secretions, 25 micro gram/kg pentagastrin was used in both groups. Result: Basal acid secretion in study group showed a significant increase in comparison to control group with P value <0.001 (15.6+ 1.63 micro mol/15 min in case group vs 4.1+ 0.36 micro mol/ 15min). Basal pepsin secretion in study group showed a significant increase in comparison to control group with P value <0.001 (7.27+ 0.15micro gm/15min in case group vs 5.62+ 0.12micro gm/15min). On pentagastrin stimulation, acid secretion in control group showed a significant increase in comparison to its basal value with P value <0.001 (10.14+ 1.34micro mol/15min in vs 4.1+ 0.36 micro mol/15min) but its value decreases in study group (10.5+ 1.89micro mol/15min basal value). In control group following pentagastrin stimulation, pepsin secretion showed a significant increase in comparison to its basal value with P value <0.001 (6.9+ 0.12micro gm/ 15min in case group vs 5.62+ 0.12micro gm/15min), while in study group there is no significant difference from its basal value (7.03+ 0.03micro gm/15min vs 7.27+ 0.15micro gm/15min basal value). Conclusion: Garlic extract have a stimulatory effect on acid and pepsin secretion. The possible mechanism cloud be: a) Increase in parietal or chief cell activities due to Ach release. b) Due to its stimulatory effect on histamine release. However, on pentagastrin stimulation acid secretion decline and pepsin level remain same in study group and this effect may be due to rapid emptying of gastric acid stock or due to inhibition of gastric activity because of attachment of some components in garlic extracts to gastrin receptors on parietal cells.