Effect of Methanolic Extract of Ginger on Gastric PH and Serum Bicarbonate of Wistar Rats

Ginger plant has a perennial, tuberous root or rhizome. The rhizome which is the horizontal stem from which the roots grow, is the main portion of ginger that is consumed as a spice in dried, preserved and green forms. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of methanolic extract of ginger on gastric pH and post-prandial serum bicarbonate in wistar rats. A total of 20 male rats weighing 180 to 250g were divided into four groups of 5 rats each; Group I served as control, Group II received 100mg/kg methanolic ginger extract, Group III received omeprazole (20mg/kg) and Group IV received a combination of omeprazole and methanolic ginger extract. After 45 minutes of administration of the extract, the pH of the gastric effluent increased significantly whereas the post-prandial serum bicarbonate concentration decreased significantly compared to control (p<0.05). Although Omeprazole caused marked reduction in gastric pH, coadministering with methanolic ginger extract prevented excessive reduction in gastric pH that occurred with the drug alone. In the determination of serum post-prandial bicarbonate level, the methanolic ginger extract group showed levels significantly lower than the control group while the Omeprazole and co-administration groups were significantly lower in comparison with extract group. Hence, the study concluded that methanolic ginger extract alone neutralized gastric acid secreted while in combination with Omeprazole, it acted as a buffer to stabilize the gastric pH.