It has been shown that garlic and its main bioactive component, allicin, as natural chelating agents can reduce blood and tissue lead content in animal models. In this study the effect of allicin, alone or combined with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), in decreasing lead content of blood and tissues of mice was evaluated. Swiss albino mice were exposed to 1000 ppm of lead in water for 35 days and then placed in various treatment groups including groups administered oral allicin, DMSA, or their combination. The concentrations of lead in blood, kidney, liver, bone and brain were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Both, allicin and DMSA decreased the blood and tissue lead concentration. There was an additive effect of the combined administration of allicin and DMSA in reducing bone lead. No side effect was observed in all treated groups. Combined use of DMSA and allicin seems to be a better choice in the treatment of chronic lead intoxication.
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart-New York.