Argentine garlic cultivars characterization by their health-benefits.

VAZQUEZ MA, RENNA NF, CACCIAMANI V; GONZALEZ ES, LAMA MC, MIATELLO RM, GALMARINI CR.

ACTA HORTICULTURAE

Año: 2008

0567-7572

Dietary factors play a key role in the development of several human diseases, including metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Over the centuries, garlic (Allium sativum) has been considered as a functional food with prophylactic and therapeutic effects. The objective was to characterize Argentine garlic cultivars through their health benefits on a metabolic syndrome experimental model in rats. Administration of 10% fructose solution as drinking water was used to achieve the pathological model (FFR). Aqueous garlic extract from Fuego INTA (F) and Morado INTA (M) cultivars were administrated by gavage (150 mg/kg/d) to FFR and control groups. The experimental design included 6 groups (n=8 each) treated during 8 weeks. Variables associated to metabolic syndrome: systolic blood pressure (mmHg), basal glycemia (mg/dL) and lipid profile (mg/dL) were examined. Oxidative stress status was evaluated through aortic NAD(P)H oxidase activity (counts/min/mg) and plasma TBARS concentration (umol/L). In addition, vascular remodeling was studied in kidney arteries. Changes in FFR group attributable to the pathological model development were reverted by garlic extract administration. The beneficial effect was slightly higher when F was administrated. These results imply that garlic administration could be of clinical significance in primary prevention of metabolic syndrome, provide a new insight in the understanding of the cardiovascular benefits of nutraceutical plants in cardiovascular diseases and suggest that slights differences in cultivar types, associated to other characteristics, could improve the beneficial cardiovascular effects assigned to garlic consumption.