Amelioratic effect of zingiber officinale on experimentally induced liver fibrosis in rats

الملخص EN

Aim : The aqueous ethanol extract of ginger was evaluated for its hepatoprotective effect on albino rats.

Methods : Liver fibrosis was induced in rats by subcutaneous administration of CCl4 dissolved in corn oil.

The levels of liver enzymes (aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)) and total protein (TP), albumin (Alb) were estimated in serum.

A probe into the mechanism of action was attempted by estimating thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in liver homogenates.

Liver hydroxyproline and serum hyaluronidase (HAase) activity were estimated as markers for liver fibrosis.

In view of impaired renal function by CCl4, the levels of serum urea and creatinine were estimated.

Results : The elevated levels of ALT, AST, ALP and TP in fibrotic rats were significantly reduced by ginger but still higher than their corresponding control values.

Also, the significant decrease in Alb after treatment with CCl4 was reversed by protection with ginger and become within the normal control level.

On the other hand, SOD activity in CCl4 group which was statistically decreased than control value, was significantly stimulated in the liver of CCl4 treated rats fed with ginger.

The hepatic lipid peroxidation which was enhanced in the CCl4 treated group, was improved by ginger extract, where there was a reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA) level.

Ginger has a valuable protecting effect on the development of liver fibrosis as there was a significant reduction in the level of hydroxyproline, besides a significant increase in the level of HAase activity.

The levels of serum urea and creatinine in CCl4 group were significantly higher than control values, and this elevation was guarded by the protection of ginger.

Conclusions : Our study demonstrated that, the aqueous ethanol extract of ginger has a hepatoprotective action on CCl4-induced liver fibrosis that possibly due to its antioxidant and free radical scavenging properties.