The effect of garlic tablet on plasma lipids and platelet aggregation in nulliparous pregnants at high risk of preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to determine the effect of garlic tablet (Garlet) on plasma lipids, and platelet aggregation and the efficacy of this treatment in the prevention of preeclampsia.

METHODS

In a randomized, single-blind, placebo-controlled study, 100 primigravidas with positive roll-over test were treated with daily doses of 800mg Garlet/day (n=50) or 800mg/day placebo (n=50) during the third trimester of pregnancy. Serum total cholesterol, LDL-and HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, and platelet aggregation were measured before and after the treatment. Blood pressure, weight, and edema were also examined during the entire study period.

RESULTS

In the case group, there was no significant difference in the means of total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglyceride before and after the experiment. Furthermore, the inhibition of platelet aggregation did not show any significant difference before and after the treatment. There were not any significant difference in the means of HDL, LDL, triglyceride, inhibition of platelet aggregation, the means of systolic and diastolic blood pressure and the mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), between the two groups, but there was a significant difference in the means of total cholesterol (P=0.038) and hypertension alone (P=0.043).

CONCLUSIONS

The administration of 800mg/day of Garlet during the third trimester of pregnancy was effective in reducing the occurrence of hypertension alone, but it was no effective in preventing of preeclampsia.