Background: The central nervous system is one of the most important systems
affected by formaldehyde (FA). Aim of Work: This study was designed
to assess its toxic neuropsychiatric effects both clinically and experimentally
and the protective effects of garlic. Methods: Clinically: 20 workers in the
gross anatomy laboratory and 20 libertarians underwent a standardized clinical
assessment including medical, neurological and psychiatric examination.
Experimental: 40 male rats were divided randomly into four groups. Group I
is control group. Group II received 10 mg/kg of FA intraperitoneally once
daily for 14 days. Group III was treated with fresh garlic juice (1 ml/100g body
weight) once daily by oral gavage for 14 days. Groups VI received fresh garlic
juice plus formaldehyde daily for 14 days. At the end of the experiment, the
rats’ brains were obtained for histological examination and biochemical analysis.
Results: Clinical and psychiatric profile of FA exposed persons’ revealed
cognitive impaired, anxious and depressed persons. There were hostile persons
with more hostility toward outside. Experimentally, hippocampal and
frontal superoxide dismutase and reduced glutathione showed highly significant
decrease while malondialdehyde and nitric oxide level showed highly
significant increase in formaldehyde treated group when compared with control
group. Also histopathological changes in the hippocampal and frontal
cortices by light microscope revealed many distorted cells with deeply stained
shrunked nuclei and cytoplasm was surrounded by vacuolated pale areas in
FA exposed group. Minimization of biochemical and histopathological
changes were observed in combined formaldehyde and garlic treated group.
Conclusion: The profiles of personality arouse dangerous affairs about the
toxic impact of FA on persons, family, and society. Formaldehyde-induced
neuronal damage, oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation in brain were minimized
by addition of garlic.