Objective: Liver plays a pivotal role in regulating various physiological processes in the body such as metabolism, secretion, and storage. It has a great capacity to detoxify toxic substances and synthesize useful principles. The current study was designed to investigate the possible protective effects of Zingiber officinale (ginger) extract on liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats.Methods: The animals were divided into four groups with eight rats in each. To induce liver fibrosis, Wistar albino rats received CCl4 (2 ml/kg diluted in corn oil) twice weekly for eight weeks. Rats were concurrently treated with Z. officinale extract at two different doses (300 and 600 mg/kg/day).Results: CCl4 ÂÂinduced liver injury characterized by fibrotic changes, degenerated hepatocytes and focal accumulation of inflammatory cells. In addition, CCl4 administration produced a significant increase in serum aminotransferases, lipids, liver lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide. The hepatoprotective effects of Z. officinale extract were evidenced by the significant decrease in serum aminotransferases and liver lipid peroxidation. Further, concurrent treatment with either dose of Z. officinale enhanced liver glutathione and enzymatic antioxidant defenses.Conclusion: Z. officinale showed a marked hepatoprotective effect against CCl4–induced liver fibrosis and injury through the abolishment of oxidative stress and potentiation of the antioxidant defense system.Keywords: Antioxidant, Ginger, Fibrosis, Oxidative stres
