Abstract

Introduction: Since all previous studies on the ameliorative effects of garlic in diabetic nephropathy have been conducted after diabetes induction, we decided to assess its preventive role on renal complications in diabetes. Materials and Methods: Forty male rats were divided into 5 groups as follows: 1- Group normal (N) 2- Group Normal+Garlic (N+G), received garlic juice for 6 weeks. 3- Diabetic (D) received STZ, 60 mg/kg BW /i.p. 4- Group diabetic+garlic before (D+Gb), received garlic juice for 3 weeks before STZ injection and continued for over three weeks. 5- Group diabetic+garlic after (D+Ga), three days after STZ injection, they received garlic juice for 3 weeks. Garlic juice was given by gavage (1ml/100g BW). Results: Diabetic rats showed significant increase in serum creatinine and urea, creatinine clearance (GFR), water intake, and decreased urinary urea to creatinine ratio (Ur:Cr), compared to the other groups (P<0.0001). Administration of garlic juice in diabetic rats restored these changes towards normal to some extent. Long-term consumption of garlic juice in group D+Gb caused significant improvement, compared to that seen in group D+Ga. Discussion: In this study, for the first time, we showed that administration of garlic juice before diabetes induction resulted in enhanced amelioration of renal complications compared to the group receiving it after induction, indicating that garlic juice can play both a preventive and a theraputic role in such patients.