Lead is one of the oldest environmental contaminant, which is a known mutagenic agent or carcinogen vin cases of high exposure. The present experimental study is designed to observe the gradual antimutagenic effects of crude garlic extract on the atrophic changes in the nephron of albino rats due to excessive ingestion of lead. Twelve (12) male albino rats were used and were divided into three groups A, B and C with four animals in each group. Animals in group A, B and C were treated with 100mg/ml distilled water, 2.5mg/ml lead acetate and 25mg/ml garlic extract with 2.5mg/ml lead acetate respectively for 30-days. The animals were fed with normal diet (21% protein) and their body weights monitored and recorded weekly as well as change in their physical appearances. The animals were later sacrificed after 30-days by cervical dislocation and pathological examination of the kidneys was carried out. The results showed that group A animals had 1.41g mean weight/paired kidney and 369.91g mean body weight as well as average tissue ratio of 0.0038 and appeared active with normal feeding behavior. Animals in group B had 1.15 mean weight/ paired kidney, reduced mean body weight of 314.07g and average tissue of 0.0032 while group C animals fed with the extract in combination with lead showed fairly normal feeding behavior, active with sharp agility and were sensitive to their immediate environment having 1.36g mean weight/paired kidney, 361.24g mean body weight and 0.0036 average tissue ratio respectively. Hence, crude garlic extract is a viable dietary supplement with high antioxidant properties that could offer protection against heavy metal induced nephrosis.
