Effect of Ginger Nanoparticles on Hepatotoxicity and Nephrotoxicity Induced by Carbon Tetrachloride in Rats

Abstract

Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is regarded as the most environmental contaminant. CCl4 is one of the most extensively studied hepato and nephro- toxicants. The most frequent mechanism of hepatocellular and nephrocellular injury involves the production of toxic metabolites by the cytochrome P450 system. Carbone tetrachloride (CCl4) is metabolized by the cytochrome P450 enzyme system resulting in the production of trichloromethyl (CCl3•) and trichloromethyl peroxyl (CCl3OO•) radicals. These free radicals have the ability to bind to proteins and/or lipids of the plasma membrane leading to lipid peroxidation and damage to the plasma membrane and DNA that is responsible for liver and kidney damage. Currently, natural products play an important role in the prevention, limitation and treatment of liver and kidney diseases due to their ability to scavenge the free radicals. Ginger and silymarin are among the natural products that have hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects against CCl4 toxicity due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger is the rhizome of the plant Zingiber officinale Roscoe, belongs to the family Zingiberaceae, it is used as a common condiment for various foods and beverages. The most abundant compounds in ginger are [6]-gingerol and [6]-shogaol. So ginger possesses hepatoprotective and nephroprotective effects. It exerts its protective actions through its antioxidant and free radical scavenging mechanisms. Regardless of their attractive properties, ginger still has very limited application in supplements and clinical use due to their poor solubility in water and consequently inadequate oral bioavailability. To overcome these drawbacks, ginger was ground by ball milling