Effect of Ginger Extract Consumption on levels of blood Glucose, Lipid Profile and Kidney Functions in Alloxan Induced-Diabetic Rats.

Abstract

In recent years, ginger has become a subject of interest because of its beneficial effects on human health. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of daily oral administration of ginger extract for 6 weeks on plasma glucose, lipid profile and kidney functions in alloxan -induced diabetic rats to show the ameliorating and partly curative effects in alloxan induced-diabetic rats (150 mg/kg i.p.(Intrapretonial). Rats (130-150gm) were divided into 4 groups; normal control rats, diabetic control rats, diabetic rats post -treated with ginger and diabetic rats pretreated with ginger. Ginger extract was administered orally for 6 weeks to post-treated and pre-treated rats, and they were compared with the normal and diabetic groups, respectively. Plasma glucose was reduced significantly in both post-treated and pretreated groups. The post-treatment with ginger extract reduced plasma cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol, but during the pre-treatment with ginger extract produced insignificant change only in plasma triglyceride level. The plasma HDLcholesterol was significantly increased in post-treated and pre-treated groups. The plasma creatinine, urea and uric acid levels were signifi cantly reduced in post-treated group; also in pre-treated group, they were reduced but urea level statistically did not change. It is concluded that the consumption of ginger produced a significant hypoglycemic effect in diabetic rats . In addition, ginger is capable of improving hyperlipidemia and the impaired kidney functions in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Keyword: ginger, kidney function, glucose, plasma, lipids, alloxan, rats, diabetic.