Protection of N-methyl-N '-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine-induced in vivo clastogenicity by aqueous garlic extract

The modulatory effects of garlic extract on the in vivo clastogenicity of N -methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG), a carcinogenic nitrosamine, wer e evaluated by quantification of micronuclei and chromosomal aberrations in metaphase cells from the bone marrow of male Wistar rats. A single intrape ritoneal injection of MNNG (40 mg/kg bodyweight) was found to be clastogeni c as revealed by the increased frequency of micronucleated polychromatic er ythrocytes and chromosomal aberrations. Pretreatment with aqueous garlic ex tract (250 mg/kg bodyweight) for 5 days significantly reduced the frequenci es of MNNG-induced micronuclei and chromosomal aberrations. The results dem onstrate that administration of garlic extract protects against the clastog enic effects of MNNG.