INHIBITION OF CLASTOGENIC EFFECTS OF ARSENIC THROUGH CONTINUED ORAL-ADMINISTRATION OF GARLIC EXTRACT IN MICE IN-VIVO

Crude aqueous extract of garlic bulbs (Allium sativum L. single clove variety) was administered by gavage to mice of both sexes daily for up to 30 and 60 days, in doses corresponding to 6 g for a 60 kg human bo dy. Sodium arsenite (at 1/50 of LD50 dose) was injected subcutaneously to mice on every 7th day of the experiment. Chromosome preparations m ade from bone marrow following flame drying Giemsa schedule were scree ned for chromosomal aberrations. The clastogenic affects of prolonged exposure to sodium arsenite -a strong clastogen- was reduced by a high ly significant amount when crude garlic extract, in the dose used, was given daily to the mice by intubation for the same period. (C) 1997 E lsevier Science B.V.