Garlic Extract (Allicin) Improves the Proliferation of Endothelial Progenitor Cell (EPC) from Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The reduced number and function of endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) in stable coronary artery disease (SCAD) patients aggravate endothelial dysfunction and inhibit neovascularization, thus lead to atherosclerosis. Garlic is currently believed to increase the number and function of EPC.
 AIM: Therefore, this in vitro study was conducted to analyze the effect of garlic extract (allicin) on the proliferation of EPC in patients with SCAD.
 METHODS: Mononuclear cells were isolated from peripheral blood of eight SCAD patients and cultured on colony-forming unit (CFU)-Hill medium for 3 days. Samples were divided into two groups: Group treated with allicin and control group. The treatment group was then divided into three subgroups which received 10, 50, and 100 mg/ml of doses and incubated for 48 h. EPC proliferation was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) cell proliferation assay. Immunohistochemical method of CD34+ was performed for EPC identification. Data were analyzed using independent t-test and ANOVA.
 RESULTS: MTT assay showed a significant increase in EPC proliferation in the allicin group compared to the control group (0.2811 ± 0.008 vs. 0.194 ± 0.151, p < 0.05) and significant improvements were observed in each dose increment. CFU-Hill quantification shows the addition of EPC colony in high-dose allicin. Immunohistochemical method shows positive CD34+ expression.
 CONCLUSION: Allicin increases EPC proliferation dose-dependently from peripheral blood of SCAD patients.