Antidiabetic properties of S-allyl cysteine, a garlic component on streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats

The present study was carried out to investigate the hypoglycaemic effect of S-allyl cysteine (SAC), a garlic component, on some biochemical parameters of STZ induced diabetic rats. STZ induced diabetic rats were treated with SAC at two different doses (100 mg/kg b.w. and 150 mg/kg b.w.) for 45 days. Treatment with SAC significantly decreased the levels of blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, blood urea, serum uric acid, serum creatinine, and diminished activities of pathophysiological enzymes such as aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The antihyperglycaemic nature of SAC is also evidenced from the improvement in the levels of plasma insulin and haemoglobin. Further, the results are comparable with glyclazide, an oral standard drug. A 150 mg/kg b.w. dose produced a better effect than a 100 mg dose. Thus, the present findings suggest that SAC may be considered as an effective therapeutic agent for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.