[Effect of allicin on ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in mice]

To study the effect of allicin, an effective component of garlic, on ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. The results showed that allicin (10 mg/kg ig, qd x 10) could reverse the higher activities of serum ALT and glutathione s-transferase (GST) in ethanol-treated mice. Furthermore, allicin could significantly enhance the content of hepatic reduced glutathione (GSH), and the activities of hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSH-Re) and GST in ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity mice. There were no remarkable changes in the hepatic catalase (Cat) and superoxide dismutase(SOD) activities. These results suggested that allicin have the effective hepato-protection on ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity, which is related to its selective effect on the glutathione-related enzyme system.