Comparative study on the hepatoprotection to heavy metals of Zingiber officinale

Abstract

Context:Zingiber officinale (Zingiberaceae) is a herb used for culinary and therapeutic purposes due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potentials.Objectives:We examined its protective ability against mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) accumulation in the liver.Materials & Methods:Ground Zingiber officinale (7%, w/w of feed) was administered to rats either at the same time with the exposure ofheavy metals (group 2), a week after exposure to heavy metals (group 3) or given a week before heavy metal exposure (group 4) for six weeks. Animals were exposed to either of Hg (10 ppm), Cd (200 ppm) and Pb (100 ppm) in drinking water. The heavy metal accumulations in the liver were determined using AAS.Results:Weight losses induced by these metals were not reversed by Zingiber officinale administration. There was a significant (P<0.01) increase in protection to Pb (97%) and Cd (63%) accumulation when compared to Hg (32%) at week 2. The protective ability was significantly (P<0.01) decreased at week 4 when compared to week 2 for Cd and Pb but not to Hg in groups 3 (50%) and 4 (52%). At week 6, hepatoprotection to Hg (44%) and Cd (85%) was significantly (P<0.01) different but not to Pb which was only significant (P<0.05) in week 2 of treatment for all groups.Discussion and Conclusion:Zingiber officinale affected the bioavailability, elimination and uptake of these metals in a time-dependent way with highest beneficial reducing effect to Cd followed by Hg and least protection to Pb in the liver.

Comparative analysis on the effect of palm oil (Elaeis guineensis) in reducing cadmium and lead accumulation in liver of Wistar rats

“…The unexpected patterns observed in the kinetics of elimination and uptake of these chemicals/metals have been reported even with continuous exposures and is not due to experimental or analytical errors. [22–24] Nutrient substances like PO are reported to provide a great deal of antioxidants which can affect the toxico-dynamics and bioavailability of heavy metals following exposure. [2330] PO is able to reduce the bioavailability of these metals by possibly complexing and enhancing its elimination/excretion from the tissues like some other nutrient substances.…”

“…The concentrations of the chosen metals were obtained through preliminary studies and review of literature. [2324] Care was taken to choose a concentration that will assure the survival of the animals throughout the period of study.…”

Ethnopharmacological analysis of medicinal plants used against non-communicable diseases in Rodrigues Island, Indian Ocean

“…According to Ried and Fakler (2014), garlic-derived polysulfides stimulate the production of the vascular gasotransmitter hydrogen sulfide and enhance the regulation of endothelial nitric oxide, which induce smooth muscle cell relaxation, vasodilation, and blood pressure reduction. Moreover, Nwokocha et al (2011) showed that garlic extract caused a reduction in blood pressure and heart rates in hypertensive rat models. (Nawash et al, 2013).…”

A comparative study of the effect of some nutritional medicinal plants effect on lead accumulation in the liver following different modes of administration

“…[9101112] Our results showed that the additives used affected the accumulation levels of lead in the liver. Some of them significantly reduced the accumulation, while others had no effect or, interestingly, increased its accumulation.…”