Abstract
The antidotal efficacy of aqueous garlic extract, methylene blue, and velenium (Vitamin E + sodium selenite) was compared against experimental nitrate intoxication in rabbits. Forty-two, albino rabbits of identical age, gender, and body weight were randomly divided into 7 groups (A to G) and subjected to experimental treatments for a period of 40 days. Rabbits of group A were offered only normal feed and served as negative control, while, rabbits of group B constituted the positive control group and received feed supplemented with sodium nitrate at 400 mg/kg body weight. Sodium nitrate-containing feed and intraperitoneal injection of 1% methylene blue solution at 2 mg/kg body weight were administered to group C. Rabbits of group D were given sodium nitrate-supplemented feed and aqueous garlic extract at 500 mg/kg body weight through oral route. Group E was treated with sodium nitrate-added feed, intraperitoneal injection of 1% methylene blue solution at 2 mg/kg body weight, and oral administration of garlic extract at 500 mg/kg. Velenium (25 mg of Vitamin E + 2.2 mg of sodium selenite per ml) was intraperitoneally injected at 1 ml/kg body weight to rabbits of group F along with the provision of sodium nitrate-supplemented feed. In addition to being fed with sodium nitrate-containing feed, group G obtained intraperitoneal injection of velenium at 1 ml/kg body weight and oral administration of garlic extract at 500 mg/kg body weight. The efficacy of antidotes was assessed on the basis of changes in blood nitrite level, biochemical profile, and gross pathological lesions manifested by the treated rabbits. The combination of methylene blue and garlic extract was highly effective in treating nitrate toxicity followed by methylene blue, garlic extract, and velenium, respectively. Whereas, the concurrent administration of garlic extract and velenium was least efficacious in terms of antidotal efficacy. In conclusion, aqueous garlic extract can be effectively used either alone or in combination with methylene blue when treating rabbits diagnosed with nitrate toxicity.