Abstract

Objectives: According to the studies done by the scientists on animals, garlic (Allium ‎sativum) is effective in reducing blood and tissue lead concentrations. Investigation of ‎therapeutic effects of garlic and compare it with D-penicillamine in patients with lead ‎poisoning is the main goal of this study. Methods: The present study is a double-blind ‎controlled clinical trial that was performed on 160 lead poisoning patients referred to the ‎Razi Hospital in Ahvaz in 1397. Patients were randomly divided into two groups of ‎penicillamine and placebo, and garlic (6 cubes of garlic and penicillamine tablets containing ‎the usual dose of this drug) and they were treated for 4 weeks and taken medication three ‎times a day. Blood lead levels (BLL) and Hb were measured before and after treatment. ‎Also, clinical signs and symptoms of lead poisoning were compared with early finding. ‎Results: In this study, BLL levels decreased significantly in both garlic and placebo groups ‎‎(P = 0.0001 and P = 0.001), and in the garlic group from 103.75 ± 14.49 μg to 83.63 ± 13.3 ‎and in the placebo group decreased from 96.71 ± 12.99 μg / ml to 85.16 ± 14.13. The mean ‎difference of BLL before and after treatment in garlic and placebo groups was 20.20 ± 6.75 ‎μg / ml and 11.56 ± 5.76 μg / ml, respectively, and the difference between the two groups ‎were significant (P=0.0001). Conclusion: In result, clinically garlic was safer and as ‎effective as D-penicillamine‎‎‎‎‎.