Assessment of the effect of gamma irradiated ginger on testicular and hepatic function of alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Abstract EN

This study was conducted to assess the effect of gamma (γ) irradiation on the microbiological quality of dried ginger (DG) and also to determine the effect of raw and γ-irradiated ginger aqueous extract (GAE) on testicular and hepatic function in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.

The microbial counts were higher in raw samples (control) than those of irradiated ones (10 kGy) which indicated that the use of irradiation treatment induced a reduction in the microbial load of ginger.

The results revealed also that alloxan administration to rats (150 mg/kg B.WT) showed a significant increase in the levels of serum glucose, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl transferase and transaminases concomitant with a significant decrease in the levels of insulin, testosterone (T), Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and leutinizing hormone (LH).

Furtherermore, alloxan induced a significant oxidative stress in liver and testes tissues notified by an increase of malondialdehyde level concomitant with a decrease in glutathione level and superoxide dismutase and catalase activities.

The treatment of diabetic rats with either raw or γ-irradiated ginger aqueous extract (GAE) has significantly ameliorated the alteration in the antioxidant/oxidant status and improved hyperglycemia, hepatic, testicular and endocrine functional abnormalities.

In conclusion, this study indicated that ginger, in addition to being hypoglycaemic, is effective in reducing oxidative stress caused by alloxan-induced diabetes and that the γ-irradiation of DG increased its hygienic quality without a significant loss in its quality attributes.