J Nutr. 2001 Mar; 131(3s): 1093S-5S.

Ameliorative effect of S-allylcysteine, a major thioallyl constituent in aged garlic extract, on learning deficits in senescence-accelerated mice.

Nishiyama N, Moriguchi T, Morihara N, Saito H.

Laboratory of Chemical Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan. nisiyama@mol.f.u-tokyo.ac.jp

This study examined the effect of S:-allylcysteine (SAC), a major thioallyl compound found in aged garlic extract, on the memory deficit and age-related changes of senescence-accelerated mice. Senescence-accelerated prone P8 mice fed a diet supplemented with 40 mg SAC/kg diet for 8 mo had a significantly attenuated decrease in the conditioned avoidance response compared with those not given SAC. In the elevated plus-maze test using senescence-accelerated prone P10 mice, the percentage of time spent on the open arm was greater compared with the senescence-resistant control mice. Chronic dietary treatment with 40 mg SAC/kg diet decreased the time in the open arm in senescence-accelerated prone P10 mice. These studies suggest that diet supplementation with SAC may reduce age-related learning disabilities and cognitive disorders in senescence-accelerated mice.