Phytochemical screening, Gas chromatography: Mass spectrometry and antidiabetic properties of aqueous extract of ginger (Zingiber officinale) in Alloxan induced diabetic Wistar rats

Abstract

The study investigates the phytochemistry, Gas-Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), atomic Absorbtion spectroscopy (AAS) and antidiabetic activities of aqueous ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract in diabetic alloxan-induced Wistar rats. Qualitative phytochemical analysis, GC-MS, AAS and antidiabetic properties of the aqueous ginger extract were determined using standard procedures. Phytochemical analysis of the aqueous ginger extract shows that the extract contains tannins, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, simple phenolic, glycosides, carbohydrates, reducing sugar and steroids. The GC-MS study of the aqueous Zingiber officinale extract revealed the presence of eleven different compounds with 1,3-Cyclohexadiene, 5-(1,5-dimethy 4-hexenyl)-2-methyl-, [S-(R*,S*)]- been the most abundant with peak area of 33.98%. The AAS analysis shows that ginger contain: Ca, Na, Fe, K, P and Zn minerals. Twenty five (25) Wistar rats were grouped into 5 groups and investigated for antidiabetic study for a period of 15 days. Group A and B animals were normal and negative control respectively. Group B rats were induced with alloxan and not treated with drugs or extract. Animals in other groups (C, D and E rats) were diabetic and treated with standard drug (glibenclamide with concentration of 10 mg/kg), 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of aqueous ginger extract respectively. The group of rats treated with 10, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight of glibenclamide and aqueous ginger extract showed significant reduction (p