Anti‐stress Effects of High Hydrostatic Pressure Extract of Ginger on Immobilization‐stressed Rats

Abstract

Exposure to physical or psychological stress may be related to weight loss and hepatotoxicity. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether high hydrostatic pressure extract of ginger affects immobilization stress‐induced weight loss and liver damage in rats. Male Sprague‐Dawley rats (n=21) were divided into three groups; (i) normal (N), (ii) immobilization stress (S) and (iii) immobilization stress plus ginger extract (S+G) (150 mg/kg BW/d). For immobilization stress, rats were immobilized in restrain cage for 2 hours every day for 2 weeks. Immobilization stress resulted in a significant reduction of body weight by 13% and a thymus weight by 30% (P<0.05) compare to N group. The levels of plasma aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransaminase (ALT), the marker of acute liver injury, were increased in S group compared to N group (P<0.05). Ginger extract administration significantly increased body weight gain by 12% and thymus weight by 16% compared to S group (P<0.05). Ginger extract significantly lowered the levels of AST and ALT by 20.1% and 20.3%, respectively compare to S group (P<0.05). These results suggest that high hydrostatic pressure extract of ginger might improve weight gain and liver function in stressed condition.Support or Funding InformationThis work was supported by the Brain Korea 21 plus project funding (No. 22A20130012143).