Aqueous extracts of garlic (Allium sativum) inhibit prostaglandin synthesis in the ovine ureter.

The prostaglandins (PGs) synthesized from C14-arachidonic acid by the homogenized sheep ureter were identified as being prostacyclin (PGI2), PGF2 alpha and thromboxane B2 (TXB2). The radioimmunoassay (RIA) estimation of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, a stable metabolite of PGI2, confirms that it was the major metabolite of arachidonic acid. Aqueous extracts of fresh garlic (5, 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/ml) were shown to inhibit the synthesis of the prostanoids in a dose dependent manner. Fresh garlic extracts (1, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/ml) also dose dependently inhibited spontaneous rhythmic contractions of the isolated ureter. Boiled garlic (5, 12.5, 25 and 50 mg/ml) had no effect on either ureteral motility or the PG synthesizing capacity of the sheep ureter.