Abstract: Objective: To explore the reverting effect of allicin on homocysteine induced endothelial cell injury. Methods: Cultural endothelial cells were divided into 5 groups: the homocysteine group, the high dose allicin group, the middle dose allicin group，the low dose allicin group and the control group. Different cultural solutions were added, 12, 24 and 36 hours later, and LDH separated from the upper fluid were determined. The MTT colorimetric method was used to observe the survival of endothelial cells. Results: The low and the middle dose allicin groups had an antagonism to homocysteine in endothelial cell injury. The LDH of the middle and the low allicin groups was significantly lower than that of the homocysteine group(P＜0.05). The antagonism of the high dose allicin group to homocysteine in endothelial cell injury was decreased at 36 hours. There was no significant difference between the high dose allicin group and the homocysteine group (P＞0.05). The result of LDH coincided with that of MTT colorimetric method. Absorptiometry of the middle and the low allicin groups was significantly higher than that of the homocysteine group(P＜0.01). There was no significant difference between the high dose allicin group and the homocysteine group (P＞0.05). Conclusion: The level of homocysteine induced injury in endothelial cells is significantly decreased by low and middle doses of allicin, suggesting allicin may protect and cure homocysteinemia.

Key words: Endothelial cell, Homocysteine, Allicin