TOXICOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF GRADED GINGER ENRICHED DIET

Abstract

The effect of ginger on the hepatic enzymes, blood glucose, lipids profile and serum protein of five groups (control group and four test groups) of albino rats were analyzed using routine laboratory methods. Results from the control group showed that the concentrations of Aspartate Transaminase (AST), Alanine Transaminase (ALT) and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) were3.0±0.7 iu/l, 3.0±0.7 iu/l, 22.0±2.2iu/l respectively; Serum Protein and Blood Glucose were found to be 4.5±0.4g/dl and 38.0±0.7mg/dl respectively; While results determined for Lipid Profile (Total Cholesterol, Triglycerides, High Density Lipoprotein (HDL), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL) was102.0±1.7 mg/dl, 93.0±0.7 mg/dl, 66.0±2.1 mg/dl, 41.0±1.5 mg/dl respectively. Though the four test groups with concentrations of 2g, 4g, 6g, and 8g of ginger respectively in feed administered, presented results that lie within the reference normal range irrespective of their concentration. Statistical analysis however showed that there was significant difference (P ?0.005) in the results at different concentrations of ginger. However, the results of this study showed that there is no side effect such as hepatotoxicity following ginger consumption.