Interaction of Propranolol with Garlic on Biochemical and Histological Changes in Rat

The current study dealt with the interaction of garlic homogenate (GH) with propranolol (PRO) in rat, and to determine whether this effect is associated with biochemical and histological changes.

Albino rats were treated with GH at three different doses of 125 mg/kg (GH-125), 250 mg/kg (GH-250) and 500 mg/kg (GH-500) orally for 30 days and PRO was incorporated in the interactive groups during the last seven days of GH treatment. Blood was withdrawn under ether anesthesia from the retroorbital route and serum was separated. Heart tissue homogenate (HTH) of the excised heart was also prepared. Both serum and HTH were used for biochemical estimation. Histopathological studies were carried out subsequently for confirmation of biochemical findings.

GH-125 and GH-250 were found to significantly augment the endogenous antioxidant synthesis whereas, GH-500 was found to significantly diminish the synthesis of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. Toxicity of GH-500 cannot be reversed by the addition of PRO in the therapy. However, incorporation of PRO in GH-125 or GH-250 treatment showed significant synergistic effect in terms of increasing antioxidant synthesis. Mild and moderate doses of GH were also shown to keep the integrity of myocardium intact, whereas GH-500 damages the myocardium.

The findings of the present study indicate that it is safe to administer garlic in low to moderate doses in cardiac patients receiving propranolol. However, high doses of GH are found to be toxic to myocardium and hence care should be taken for proper selection of doses.