Effect of Ginger Rhizome Homogenate, Ginger Rhizome Steam Distillate, and Simvastatin on Fasting Blood Glucose and Serum Lipid Profiles of Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Balb/c Mice
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Date
2015-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Introduction: Diabetes is an increasing problem in Ethiopia, affecting up to 6.5% of Ethiopian
adults. There are serious complications associated with diabetes, particularly macrovascular and
microvascular complications. Controlling blood glucose significantly reduces the risk of
complications of diabetes. Insulin therapy is the only current treatment for type 1 diabetes. Type 2
diabetes can be treated with insulin as well numerous oral and injectable medications. However,
current diabetes treatment has disadvantages, such as drug-related hypoglycemia and high cost.
Traditional medicine is used to treat diabetes across the world and is readily available and
inexpensive. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is widely consumed as a spice, and numerous studies
suggest that ginger may have beneficial effects for diabetes and dyslipidemia. However, further
studies are needed to evaluate these effects of ginger.
Objectives: To evaluate the effects of homogenized ginger rhizome, and a steam distillate of
ginger rhizome containing 25% gingerol, on blood glucose and fasting lipid profiles of
streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice and to compare these effects with those of simvastatin.
Methods: Balb/c mice were randomly assigned to receive ginger rhizome homogenate, steam
distillate of ginger rhizome or simvastatin treatment. Two doses of streptozotocin (33mg’kg) were
given intraperitoneally a week apart to induce diabetes. Mice were treated with 2g/kg/day of ginger
rhizome homogenate by oral gavage, or about 3 mL/kg/day of steam distillate of ginger rhizome
by oral gavage, or 40mg/kg/day simvastatin intraperitoneally. Body weights, blood glucose and
lipid profiles were measured.
Results: Oral gavage with ginger rhizome homogenate caused significant blood glucose increases,
whereas a steam distillate of ginger rhizome showed significant blood glucose lowering effects, in
STZ-induced diabetic mice. Diabetic mice treated with ginger rhizome homogenate for 56 days
showed significantly lowered serum LDL and triglyceride, and higher HDL levels compared with
non-treated diabetic mice but had no significant effect on total cholesterol. The steam distillate of
ginger rhizome, given by oral gavage, lowered LDL but had no significant effect on HDL, total
cholesterol or triglyceride levels of STZ-diabetic mice. Simvastatin (40mg/kg) given
intraperitoneally decreased blood glucose, decreased LDL and increased HDL, but had no
significant effect on triglycerides and total cholesterol in STZ-diabetic mice. None of these
treatments, ginger rhizome homogenate, steam distillate, or simvastatin, had a major effect on
weights of diabetic mice.
Conclusions: Ginger rhizome homogenate treatment exacerbated hyperglycemia in STZ-diabetic
mice, but improved diabetic dyslipidemia, while a steam distillate of ginger rhizome and
simvastatin each decreased fasting blood glucose and improved lipid profiles of STZ-induced
diabetic mice.
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Keywords
Ginger Rhizome Homogenate,; Ginger Rhizome Steam Distillate