ANTIAMOEBIC EFFECT OF BULBS OF ALLIUM SATIVUM LINN. (KYET-THUN-BYU) ON ALBINO MICE

The antiamoebic activity of aqueous and 70% ethanolic extracts of bulbs of Allium sativum Linn. (kyet-thun-byu) was carried out on amoeba-induced albino mice. A controlled comparative experimental study design was used. Albino mice in nine groups (n=10) were induced amoebiasis by oral administration of 2x10⁵/mL Entamoeba histolytica trophozoites of (HM1: IMSS) strain except one group of normal control. Amoebiasis was confirmed on the fourth day of infection through detection of trophozoites in mice’s stool. The  aqueous  and 70% ethanolic  extracts in the  doses of   3 g/kg, 6 g/kg and 9 g/kg respectively were administered daily for 4 consecutive days to the infected mice. A positive control group of infected mice received metronidazole 62.5 mg/kg and a negative control group of infected mice received distilled water. On fifth day of drug administration, the mice were sacrificed, the caecums were removed carefully and macroscopically examined for lesions at caecal walls and consistency of their contents. The antiamoebic activity was expressed as the percent of cured infection. Aqueous extract 3 g/kg, 6 g/kg and 9 g/kg cured the infection 10%, 30% and 50%, respectively. The 70% ethanolic extract 3 g/kg, 6 g/kg and 9 g/kg cured 0%, 20% and 40%, respectively. Both extracts had dose dependent antiamoebic effects although they were lower when compared to that of metronidazole (80% cure). The mean caecal score was significantly reduced in the doses of aqueous extract (6 g/kg and 9 g/kg) and 9 g/kg of 70% ethanolic extract (p < 0.05). The phytochemical analysis showed that both extracts had alkaloids, amino acids, glycoside, steroids, reducing sugar, flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, saponins and carbohydrates. Acute toxicity study of aqueous and 70% ethanolic extracts showed no lethality up to 10 g/kg for both extracts. This study proved scientifically that both aqueous and 70% ethanolic extract of bulbs of Allium sativum Linn. (kyet-thun-byu) had some extent of dose dependent antiamoebic activity.