Zingiber officinale is used in African traditional medicine to treat
diabetes mellitus. Oxidative stress and inflammation are associated
with the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and its complications. This
investigation tested the hypothesis that extracts of Zingiber
officinale inhibit oxidative stress and inflammation by enhancing
antioxidant enzymes and TNF-α activity in STZ-induced diabetic
rats. Wistar rats were randomly divided into groups (n=6) receiving
different oral treatments consisting of vehicle, aqueous ginger extract
(250 and 500 mg/kg), ethanol ginger extract (250 and 500 mg). The
effect of Z. officinale was assessed in the STZ-induced diabetic rats
after 6-week treatment on blood glucose; oxidative stress (using MDA
level, SOD, CAT and GSH activities); and inflammation (using
TNF-α). Both extracts of Z. officinale increased the intracellular
activities of SOD, CAT and GSH. The extracts however caused a
significant decrease in the MDA and inflammatory TNF-α level.
These data indicate that mechanism of antidiabetic effects of ginger
may be in part, due to inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammatory
activity