IN VITRO ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY AND HEPATOPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF GARLIC EXTRACT (ALLIUM SATIVUM L.) IN CARBON TETRACHLORIDE-INDUCED LIVER INJURY IN MICE

The study was conducted to evaluate in vitro antioxidant properties and in vivo hepatoprotective effect of the garlic extract (Allium sativum L.). Direct assessment of antioxidant activity through in vitro tests revealed that garlic extract possesses antioxidant capacity by scavenging free radicals: DPPH, ABTS•+, and hydroxyl radical (OH•-). Additionally, garlic extract also effectively inhibited the process of oxidation through chelating Fe2+. The hepatoprotective activity of the garlic extract then was evaluated in a mouse model of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity. Liver damage was induced in mice by intraperitoneal injection of 10% CCl4 at a dose of 0.5 mL/kg body weight. Garlic extract at doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight was administered for eight consecutive days prior to CCl4 administration. Silymarin suspension at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight was used as a positive control. The present study showed that garlic extract at the tested doses significantly improved the parameters of CCl4-induced liver injury, including levels of serum transaminases (ASAT, ALAT), bilirubin, lipid peroxidation (MDA), and glutathione (GSH) (p < 0.05). The results indicated that garlic extract at doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg body weight exhibited a hepatoprotective effect against CCl4-induced acute hepatotoxicity in mice.