Effect of garlic on platelet aggregation in diabetic patients

Abstract

Platelet aggregation and subsequent release reactions have an important role in the genesis of vascular disease. Platelet aggregation is enhanced in diabetic patients. This hyperactivity of the platelets is responsible for the extensive vascular lesions seen in diabetes. Many therapeutic substances have been used to reduce platelet aggregation. Garlic has been described to have an inhibitory effect on platelet aggregation. The present study was conducted on 50 diabetic patients without any complications selected from the various hospitals of Lahore. Fifty healthy subjects were taken as control. A week prior to the test subjects included in the study were advised not to take any drug capable of inhibiting platelet functions. Garlic capsules were administered as 1 capsule twice daily for 14 days. Each capsule containing 500mg of garlic powder equal to two cloves. Plasma of control and patient groups was collected before and after the garlic therapy and was analysed for rate, intensity and lag phase of platelet aggregation by using Chronology Aggregometer Model 450. Agonists used were ADP and collagen. Pre-therapy and post-therapy values were evaluated using the t test and showed a significant reduction in platelet aggregation with p value of <0.0001.