Aqueous extract of Zingiber officinale attenuates carbon tetrachloride induced hepatorenal injury in albino rats

Abstract

The rising burden of liver and kidney diseases is taking a global dimension and could threaten public health with devastating consequences. Most patients cannot cope with the cost of conventional treatment particularly in developing nations, hence there is a dire need for a cheaply available but potent alternative in the management of hepatorenal disorders. This study therefore investigates the therapeutic potential of ginger (Zingiber officinale) in rat model of hepatorenal toxicity. Twenty-five adult male albino rats were randomly divided equally into five groups. Groups I and II served as positive and negative control respectively and were administered with distilled water and CCl4 respectively. Group III and IV received a single intraperitoneal injection of 3 ml/kg b.w CCl4 and were post-treated with 50 mg/kg b.w. and 100 mg/kg b.w of Z. officinale extract respectively. Animals in group V were post-treated with standard drug (silymarin (100 mg/kg b.w.)) after exposure to CCl4. Activities of aspartate amino transferase (AST), alanine amino transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), as well as levels of urea, uric acid and bilirubin were determined. Lipid profile as well as reduced glutathione (GSH) were determined in the serum and organs’ homogenates. Level of reduced glutathione (GSH) as well as activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were also assayed. Exposure to CCl4 caused a marked derangement in lipid profile, inhibition of CAT and SOD, increase in the levels of AST, ALP, ALT, bilirubin, urea and uric acid coupled with depletion in GSH level relative to control animals. Oral intervention of Z. officinale extract in CCl4-exposed animals resulted in the restoration of deranged lipid profiles, activity of antioxidant enzymes as well as liver and kidney biomarkers. The study suggests that Z. officinale has potentials that can be exploited for hepato-protection and nephroprotection.