Abstract
BackgroundZingiber officinale is a rhizome commonly consumed as a delicacy, medicine or spice. It is considered as a safe spice with several medicinal properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate in-vitro antioxidants, antimicrobial and safety of Nigerian Z. Officinale.MethodsMethanol extract of Nigerian Z. Officinale (MEZO) was evaluated for phytochemical composition, total flavonoids and phenol contents using standard procedures. Antibacterial study was carried out via the agar well diffusion method. Antioxidant activities were carried out using 2, 2′- diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing antioxidant properties (FRAP) assay. Twenty five (25) wister rats were randomly grouped into five (A-E) of five animals each. Animals in Groups A-D were orally administered 75,150, 300 and 600 mg/kg bwt of the extract on daily basis for 4 weeks while those in Group A (control) received distilled water.ResultsTotal phenolic and flavonoids contents of the extract were 15.24 ± 0.02 mg GAE/g and 19.84 ± 0.32 mg/g CE respectively. The extract promoted an inhibition of free radicals with IC50 values of 47.05 ± 2.03 μg/mL and 89.15 ± 0.29 μg/mL in DPPH and FRAP assay. At extract concentration of 100 μg/mL, K. pneumoniae showed the highest susceptibility of 29.04 ± 0.35 mm, followed by P. aeuruginisa (26.03 ± 0.41 mm), while S. aureus (15.08 ± 0.20 mm) was least susceptible. The serum concentrations of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), sodium, albumin, total proteins and the computed organs/body weight ratios compared favorably (p > 0.05) with control at all extract doses tested. The bilirubin, urea and creatinine levels significantly (p < 0.05) increase while chloride decreases in rats dosed 600 mg/kg bwt. However, potassium level increases significantly (p < 0.05) in rats dose 300 mg/kg of the extract when compare with the control.ConclusionThis study revealed the strong antioxidant and antimicrobial potentials of methanol extract of Nigerian Zingiber officinale. It was also found to be relatively safe for consumption and thus could serve as a source of candidate for the development of new antioxidants and antimicrobial drugs.
Highlights
Zingiber officinale is a rhizome commonly consumed as a delicacy, medicine or spice
As a result some natural products have been approved as new antioxidants and antibacterial drugs, but there is still an urgent need to identify novel substances that are safe, inexpensive and active towards free radicals and pathogens with high resistance [8]
This study evaluates the total phenolic and total flavonoids contents, the antioxidant properties (DPPH and ferric reducing antioxidant properties (FRAP)), the in vitro antimicrobial activities of Nigerian Z. officinale as well as its effect on hepatorenal integrity in wister rats
Summary
Zingiber officinale is a rhizome commonly consumed as a delicacy, medicine or spice. A major challenge in global health care is the need for novel, effective and affordable medicines to treat microbial infections, especially in developing countries of the world, where up to one-half of deaths are due to infectious diseases [1]. Ethnomedicines constitute a noteworthy part of indigenous knowledge systems of human health management worldwide. They are cost effective, easy to administer and have no prominent resistance [2]. Antimicrobial agents from medicinal plants after possible manipulation may provide new and improved drugs to treat the infectious diseases [3]. Recent research effort on African plants of medical importance is gradually improving knowledge gaps [9]
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