Nutraceutical effects of garlic oil, its nonpolar fraction and a <i>Ficus </i>flavonoid as compared to vitamin E in CCl₄ induced liver damage in rats

437-444Carbon tetrachloride feeding (3.2g/kg/72hr) for one month increased significantly the serum and tissue lipid profile and deranged the enzyme levels viz; alkaline phosphatase, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, glutathione reductase, HMGCoA reductase, catalase, gluc.6.PDH and malic enzyme in rats. Simultaneously the lipid peroxidation level in liver was also raised. On administration of garlic oil and its major nonpolar fraction (NPFGO) and a flavonoid isolated from the bark of Ficus bellgaiellsis Linn, viz; leucopelargonin derivative respectively to different groups(100mg/kg/day) the deleterious effects of CCl4 were significantly ameliorated. The liver damage by CCl4 was satisfactorily prevented by these samples as effectively as Vit. E (50 mg/kg/day). The results prove that important nutraceuticals (phytonutrients) like bioflavonoids and theols i.e. allylic sulphide rich fractions give protection from toxins like CCl4. The order of beneficial effects of the drugs are Leucopelargonin > NPFGO > Garlic oil and their effects are comparable to that of vitamin E used at a minimal dose