Protective effect of diallylsulphide against mercuric chloride-induced hepatic injury in rats

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of diallylsulphide (DAS) against mercuric chloride (HgCl₂)-induced oxidative stress in rat livers. Rats were randomly divided into four groups of six rats each and exposed to HgCl₂ (50 mg/kg/body weight (b.w.)) intraperitoneally and/or DAS (200 mg/kg/b.w.) by gavage. HgCl₂ administration enhanced alanine aminotransferase (AST) and aspartate aminotransferase (ALT) levels (p < 0.05) with reduction in the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). However, treatment with DAS markedly attenuated HgCl₂-induced biochemical alterations in liver and serum transaminases (AST and ALT; p < 0.05). Further, biochemical results were confirmed by histopathological changes as compared to HgCl₂-intoxicated rats. Histopathology of liver also showed that administration of DAS significantly reduced the damage generated by HgCl₂ The present study suggests that DAS shows antioxidant activity and plays a protective role against mercury-induced oxidative damage in the rat livers.