Modulation of altered hepatic foci induction by diallyl sulphide in Wistar rats

Diallyl sulphide (DAS) is a sulphur-containing volatile compound present in garlic (Allium sativum). It has been shown to inhibit a number of chemically induced forms of cancer in experimental animals. The present study demonstrates the inhibitory effect of DAS on the development of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) initiated and 2-acetyl-aminofluorene (2-AAF) promoted preneoplastic altered hepatic foci (AHF) in Wistar rats. AHF were scored and analysed by quantitative stereology using the Image Analysis system from frozen liver sections stained for biological markers, namely glutathione S-transferase, placental form (GST-P), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), glucose-6-phosphatase (G6 Pase) and alkaline phosphatase (AlkPase). DAS-supplemented rats were found to restore the near-normal levels of enzymes GST-P and GGT when exposed to DEN and 2-AAF. DAS administration following DEN and 2-AAF exposure led to the restoration of enzymic activity of ATPase, G6 Pase and AlkPase, as evident by number and area of the foci. These findings suggest the protective role of DAS in rat hepatocarcinogenesis, by suppressing DEN- and 2-AAF-induced AHF development.