Allium sativum (Garlic) has allicin (allyl 2-propenethiosulfinate or diallyl thiosulfonate) as the principal bioactive compounds and has been reported to exhibit blood pressure lowering effects. The activity may be dependent on the concentration and the age status of the bioactive components. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of A. sativum extracts on plasma cholesterol levels in hypertensive rats. Forty eight (n = 48) male adult wistar rats (250-300g, 36 weeks old) were induced to hypertension using Deoxycorticosterone Acetate salt (DOCA-salt). Doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg body weight of A. sativum were each prepared from theses three extracts: fresh aqueous garlic extract (FAGE-T1), crude garlic extract (CGE-T2) and crude industrial garlic extract (CIGE-T3). Normal saline was used for the control group (NS). These were administered intraperitonially (IP) twice a day for 20 weeks. Approximately 1ml of blood was collected from sterilized lateral ear veins of the 48 wistar rats and plasma cholesterol levels were measured, recorded and analyzed. Findings from haematological assays of total plasma cholesterol levels in peripheral blood showed that 200mg/Kg body weight of FAGE (4.25mmol/L hypocholesterolemic activity) was more potent in breakdown of cholesterol in peripheral blood and promoted hypocholesterolemic mechanisms post-hypertension as compared to groups T2 (3.75mmol/L), T3 (3.59mmol/L) and the control was significant at p≤0.05.
 

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