Protective activity of hydroalcoholic extract of zingiber officinale rosc. on doxorubicin-induced hepatic toxicity in male rats

Research has shown that the extract of some plants has an effective protective effect on liver cells against toxins and oxidants. In this research, the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of ginger against hepatotoxicity caused by doxorubicin (Dox) in adult male rats was investigated.

In this experimental study, 63 adult male rats were divided into 7 groups (n = 9 per group). The experimental treatments included the control and placebo groups without the use of medicines, experimental group I that received Dox at a dose of 20 mg/kg, experimental groups II and III with 300 and 600 mg/kg of ginger hydroalcoholic extract, and experimental groups IV and V that received 20 mg/kg Dox + 300 and 600 mg/kg of ginger hydroalcoholic extract, respectively. After the end of the test period, serum levels of total bilirubin and direct bilirubin were measured. In addition, the histological changes in the liver were examined after hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining.

Serum levels of total bilirubin and direct bilirubin in the Dox group showed a significant increase compared to the control group. In contrast, serum levels of total bilirubin and direct bilirubin in Dox + ZIN 600 and Dox + ZIN 300  had a significant reduction compared to the Dox group (P < 0.05). Ginger extract prevented apoptosis and Dox-induced liver tissue damage in dose-dependent designs.

The hydroalcoholic extract of ginger improves the changes of serum bilirubin and liver tissue after receiving Dox due to its antioxidant compounds.