Effect of garlic (Allium sativum) extract on levels of urea and uric acid in normal and streptozotocin-diabetic rats

The effects of garlic bulbs alcoholic extract (Allium sativum) on the level of urea and uric acid were investigated in both normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. The normal and diabetic rats were administrated orally with the extract (100, 250, 500 mg/kg) or glibenclamide (600 mg/kg) for 14 days. Oral administration of the garlic extract (0.25 and 0.5 g/kg body wt.) for 14 days exhibited a significant reduction in plasma levels of urea and uric acid in diabetic rats. The extract exhibited an insignificant effect in normal rats. The effects of the extract were more effective than that a common antidiabetic drug, glibenclamide. It is concluded that this plant must be considered as excellent candidate for future studies on diabetes mellitus. In addition, further comprehensive pharmacological investigations, including experimental chronic studies, should be carried out.