Biochemical Effects Of Ginger (ZINGIBER OFFICINALE) On Lipid Peroxidation and Atherosclerosis in Rabbits

Abstract

The aim of this work to evaluate the protective effect of ginger against the adverse effects resulted from feeding on high fat diet (lipid peroxidation and in turn atherosclerosis ).

This study was carried out on 50 New Zealand male rabbits of 50 days old, divided into five groups (10 rabbits each) as follow : Group І: served as control and kept on basal ration only. Group ІІ: kept on basal ration containing 2% ginger powder. Group ІІІ: kept on basal ration and received hot water extract of ginger powder in DW. Group ІV: kept on basal ration and received cold water extract of ginger powder in DW. Group V (Control +ve): kept on basal ration. Then after 4 weeks from the start of the experiment, adding beef tallow10% to the diet of all groups in addition to the previous regime for further 4 weeks except the first group.

Blood samples were collected via the ear vein at the 4th week, and by slaughtering of animals at the 8th week post experiment for determination of : ● Serum lipid profiles (total cholesterol, triacylglycerols, HDL-c and LDL-c) ● Serum proteins (total protein, albumin and globulin and protein electrophoresis pattern) ● Serum enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP, and GGT activities) ● Kidney function (serum creatinine and urea) ● Serum glucose concentration.

The liver were taken for evaluation of : ● Lipid peroxidation (MDA), GSH level, GPx activity and GST activity ● tissue histopathology.

Our results and statistical analysis revealed the following: 1. The supplementation of different ginger forms (powder, hot and cold water extract) at concentration 2% / kg diet for 30 days achieved, a significant decrease of liver MDA conc., GST and GPx activities and a significant increase of GSH conc. that attributed to the antioxidant properties of ginger. 2. Feeding rabbits on high fat diet (10% beef tallow) for 30 days produced a significant decrease of liver MDA conc. and GPx activity while, there was a significant increase of GSH conc. and GST activity as compared to control group. The feeding rabbits with high fat diet and ginger powder for 30 days counteract the bad effect of high fat diet as there was a significant decrease of GST activity and MDA conc. while this effect not induced when rabbits supplied with ginger water extract (hot and cold) as the MDA conc. significantly increased and GST activity decreased as compared to the control +ve group. 3. The supplementation of different ginger forms (powder, hot water extract) at concentration 2% / kg diet for 30 days produced beneficial effects on serum lipid profile as it induced significant increase of HDL-c with a decrease of total cholesterol levels. While, ginger cold water extract produced significant increase of serum total cholesterol and LDL-c, however it induced significant decrease of serum TAG conc. 4. Feeding rabbits on high fat diet (10% beef tallow) for 30 days produced a significant increase of serum TChol., LDL-c and decrease of TAG and HDL-c levels.