Radio-protective effect of garlic Allium sativum Linn. in albino rats.

S-allyl cysteine sulphoxide (SACS), a sulphur containing aminoacid of garlic is the precursor of allicin and garlic oil, and has been found to show significant radio protective effect in albino rats which were whole body irradiated with 400 rads of irradiation by Cobalt 60 source. It markedly reduced the radiation induced mortality and showed significant protection against the tissue damaging effects of irradiation in histopathological sections of liver and lung.