Thesis Abstract

            ABSTRACT

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of ethanolic extract of Zingiber officinale on the level of plasma ALT,AST, ALP, total cholesterol, total albumin, total protein, urea, uric acid, creatinine and bilirubin in nomal Wistar albino rats. The ethanolic extract was prepared using one kilogram of dried powder of Z.officinale and extracted with ethanol (80%).Twenty four healthy Wistar albino rats of either sex were used in this experiment. They were divided into four groups of six rats in each group, the average weight of rats in each group100 g. Group A was kept as control and received only basal diet. Group B, C and D received basal diet and Z.officinale ethanolic extract, which was administrated orally at dose of 200,400 and 800 mg/kg body weight, respectively. Blood samples were collected after 3 weeks and used to estimate some biochemical parameters in plasma. This study showed that Z.officinale decreased numerically the plasma level of ALT, AST, ALP, creatinine, urea and total cholesterol in group B,C and D when compared to the control group. Z.officinale increased numerically the level of plasma total albumin and total bilirubin in group B, C and D when compared to the control group. The level of total protein and direct bilirubin decreased significantly when compared to the control group. However, the level of uric acid was decreased numerically in group B and decreased significantly in group C and D when compared to control group. The rats' body weight was not affected by the administration of Z.officinale ethanolic extract. From the results of this experiment it can be concluded, Z.officinale seems to be not toxic.

Thesis Overview

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND STUDY 

Ginger (Zingiber officinale, Roscoe) is a herbaceous rhizomatus perennial plant that is widely cultivated in warm climatic regions of the world such as Nigeria, Taiwan, India, Jamaica and the United States of America. The rhizome contains a spectra of biologically active compounds and several other types of lipids that confers on ginger the characteristic medicinal properties of being pungent and a stimulant (Yoshikawa et al., 1993; Bliddal et al., 2000). Ginger is a worldwide cultivated rhizome, which is used for various medicinal purposes and as a spice. Some of the undocumented ethno medicinal uses of the peeled rhizome part of the plant, when it is chewed raw, processed or decocted include stimulation of salivary duct secretion, alleviation of toothache, nasal decongestion, cold, cough and asthma. Other uses are as a diuretic, expectorant, anti rheumatic, carminative as well as in infective hepatitis and other forms of liver diseases (Gill, 1992). Ginger is reported to have various pharmacological activities like antiemetic, antiulcer, anxiolytic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities (Ahmed and Sharma, 1997). Ahmed et al (2000) has shown that addition of ginger (1%) to normal diet of rats prevent formation of free radicals and maintain the integrity of erythrocytes. Ginger is used in Sudan as spice in coffee and tea, recently ginger has been used in folkloric medicine for treatment of hypercholestermia and hyperlipidemia. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Z.officinale ethanolic extract on c liver and kidney functions in Wistar albino rats.