Effect of Aqueous Garlic Extract on Hyperlipidaemia in Rats: A Randomised Case-Control Study

ABSTRACT This study aimed to determine the effect of garlic extract on hyperlipidemia in rats. This was a randomised case-control study in 42 rats comprising seven groups with six animals per group. Group I consisted of rats fed with 100% Normal rat chow serving as control, Group II: Butter diet, Group III: Butter diet + Atorvastatin, Group IV: Butter diet + Garlic extract, Group V: rats injected with dexamethasone, Group VI: Dexamethasone + Atorvastatin, Group VII: Dexamethasone + Garlic extract. Blood was collected from all the animals and the separated serum was subjected to the estimations of lipoproteins levels and coronary risk. There was a significant increase in the concentration of TC in the butter control group (BCG) compared to the concentration of the LDL-C (p=0.028) of the normal control group (NCG). The concentration of TG was significantly higher in DCG when compared with TG concentration in NCG (p<0.0001) and BCG (p=0.0002). Total Cholesterol level was significantly higher in BCG when compared to BGG (p<0.0001), BAG (p=0.0001) and NCG (p=0.023) which typifies hypercholesterolemia. Hyperlipidemia was induced by the long-term high-fat diet but lipid levels were reduced after the administration of aqueous garlic extract and atorvastatin.