Effect of garlic oil on neutrophil infiltration in the small intestine of endotoxin-injected rats and its association with levels of soluble and cellular adhesion molecules.

Garlic ( Allium sativum ) possesses anti-inflammatory effects. This study investigated the effects of garlic oil on endotoxin-induced neutrophil infiltration in the small intestine. Wistar rats received by gavage 10, 50, or 100 mg/kg body wt garlic oil (GO) or the vehicle (corn oil; 2 mL/kg body wt) every other day for 2 weeks before being injected with endotoxin (ip, 5 mg/kg body wt). Control rats were administered corn oil and injected with sterile saline. Blood samples for the measurement of soluble adhesion molecules were collected at various time points after injection, and all other samples were collected 18 h after injection. The 10 and 50 mg/kg doses suppressed endotoxin-induced neutrophilia, serum levels of sL-selectin and sICAM-1, cellular CD11b on neutrophils, intestinal ICAM-1 content, and neutrophil infiltration (P < 0.05). The 100 mg/kg dose significantly lowered local ICAM-1 and cellular CD11b on neutrophils (P < 0.05) but did not have a beneficial effect on neutrophil infiltration. In addition, 100 mg/kg of GO worsened the elevation of the local TNF-α level and neutrophilia. Appropriate doses of garlic oil have a preventive effect on endotoxin-induced neutrophil infiltration and damage to the small intestine.