Investigation the effect of the alcoholic extract of Zingiber officinale on liver enzymes and oxidative stress during ischemia reperfusion injury

Abstract

Background: Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury may occur in a variety of clinical set­tings and this remains a significant problem. Oxygen free radi­cals, produced on reperfusion have been shown to play a major role in hepatic I/R injury. Various therapeutic effects have been described for Zingiber officinale. Additionally, it has been presented that Zingiber officinale has protective effect against ischemia reperfusion injury to various organs. Therefore, it seems possible that the administration of Zingiber officinale might protect the liver against the ischemia reperfusion  injury.

Objectives : To determine whether Zingiber officinale prevents hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury to the liver.

 Methods: Thirty-six rats were divided into three groups as control (Group 1), I/R group (Group 2), and Zingiber officinale treatment group (Group 3). All rats underwent hepatic ischemia for 60 min followed by 60 min period of reperfusion. Rats were internalely infused with only 0.9% saline solution in group 2. Rats in group 3 received alcoholic extract of Z. officinale (200 mg/kg) intraperitoneally, before isch­emia and before reperfusion. Blood samples were harvested from the rats, and then the rats were sacrificed. Serum aspartate aminotransfera­se (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT),  lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) oxidative stress  levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) ,nitric oxide (NO) and lipid peroxida­tion (LPO) levels were determined.

 Results: The levels of liver enzymes and Oxidative stress in group 3 were significantly lower than those in the group 2.

Conclusion: Our results suggest that Zingiber officinale treatment protects the rat liver against  hepatic ischemia-reperfusion.