Evaluation of the ameliorative role of ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract against carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in male albino rats

Background: One well-known hepatotoxin that is frequently used to cause acute toxic liver injury in a variety of experimental animals is carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). There have been suggestions that ginger (Zingiber officinale) offers great promise in alleviation of many diseases . Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ameliorative role of ginger extract (GE) against the liver damage induced by CCL4 in male rats. Material &methods: Thirty-two male adult albino rats were used in this study. The rats were divided into four groups (N=8): control group, GE-supplemented group (200mg / kg b.wt daily for consecutive 35 days), CCL4-treated group (2mg/kg b.wt/twice weekly for 5 weeks), and CCL4-intoxicated group followed by treatment with GE. Results : GE for consecutive 35 days significantly reduced the adverse effects of CCL4 toxicity on the levels of liver enzymes (ALT, AST, and ALP), total bilirubin, total protein, and albumin. The altered liver tissue antioxidants (SOD, CAT, and GPx) and MDA were significantly ameliorated on treatment with GE. Additionally, the liver histopathological alterations induced by CCL4 were markedly recurred on treatment with GE. Conclusion: Ginger extract has a potential ameliorative role against CCL4-induced adverse biochemical and histological alterations in the liver of male rats