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Comparative study on the hepatoprotection to heavy metals of Zingiber officinale

2012; Medknow; Volume: 4; Issue: 4 Linguagem: Inglês

10.4103/0974-8490.102263

0976-4836

Chukwuemeka R. Nwokocha, Daniel Udofia Owu, MagdaleneI Nwokocha, ChibuezeS Ufearo, MosesO. E. Iwuala,

Pharmacological Effects of Medicinal Plants

Pharmacognosy Research,2012,4,4,208-213.DOI:10.4103/0974-8490.102263Published:October ,2012Type:Original ArticleAuthors:Chukwuemeka R Nwokocha, Daniel U Owu, Magdalene I Nwokocha, Chibueze S Ufearo, and Moses O. E. Iwuala Author(s) affiliations:Chukwuemeka R Nwokocha1, Daniel U Owu1, Magdalene I Nwokocha2, Chibueze S Ufearo3, Moses O. E. Iwuala4 1Department of Basic Medical Sciences, University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Nigeria. 2Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Kingston Public Hospital, Kingston, Jamaica, Nigeria. 3Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria. 4Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria. 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. Keywords:Accumulation, Cadmium, Lead, Liver, mercury, protection, Zingiber officinaleView:PDF (951.44 KB)