Effect of diallyl disulphide on glucose utilization in isolated alloxan diabetic liver

Abstract

The garlic and its principle sulfur compound, diallyl disulphide (DADS) have been claimed to have hypoglycemic action and are beneficial in achieving glycemic control in diabetes mellitus (DM). The actual mechanism how the DADS regulates glucose level in DM is not clearly established though it is known that DADS do influence insulin action probably by improving insulin half-life. A study was undertaken to assess the influence of DADS on glucose utilization in isolated alloxan diabetic liver tissues and to compare DADS action with standard hypoglycemic drug, metformin. The study included four groups: group-1 (normal control liver tissues), group-2 (alloxan diabetic liver tissues), group-3 (Metformin exposed alloxan diabetic liver tissues) and group-4 (DADS exposed alloxan diabetic liver tissues). The liver tissues of groups 3 and 4 were incubated respectively with metformin (4 mg/g liver) and DADS (4 mg/g liver) for one hour at 37°C. The results showed significant raise (p<0.01) in glucose utilization and lactate production in group 4 liver tissues as compared to group 2 suggesting influence of DADS on the glucose utilization promotional effect of DADS which is quite comparable with metformin. The influence of glucose utilization by DADS is through increasing glycolysis in liver as well as its utilization through hexose mono phosphate (HMP) pathway as suggested by increased hexokinase (HK) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activities. Study signifies the use of DADS as adjuvant therapy for glycemic control in DM.