Aqueous extract of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) prevents metalaxyl fungicide induced hepatotoxicity in albino mice

Abstract

The present work aims to study the hazardous effect of metalaxyl, an acylalanine fungicide, on the liver of albino mice and the possible role played by the aqueous extract of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in attenuating the hepatotoxicity of metalaxyl. Animals were divided into 4 groups. Group 1: given metalaxyl at a dose level of 1/10 LD50 for 4 weeks, Group 2: given metalaxyl and ginger, Group 3: given ginger and Group 4: served as controls. Histopathological and biochemical observations of the liver function parameters and oxidative enzymes were carried out. Metalaxyl treatment induced many histological changes in the liver including congestion of blood vessels, cytoplasmic vacuolization of the hepatocytes, necrosis and fatty degeneration. Metalaxyl caused marked elevation in serum ALT and AST. It also caused an increase in malondialdehyde and depletion of the activity of the antoxidant enzymes, catalase and superoxide dismutase in the liver. Treating animals with metalaxyl and ginger extract led to an improvement in both the histological and biochemical alterations induced by metalaxyl. Moreover, ginger reduced the level of malondialdehyde and increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes, SOD and CAT. This preventive effect of ginger is attributed to its antioxidant and free radicals scavenging properties. The present work is supported by Umm Al‐Qura University and Menoufia University.