The effect of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) on blood chemical parameter in mice

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is used as a cooking spice in the diet in many parts of the world. Recent research has found ginger to have various pharmacological properties due to a variety of active constituents, including shogaols and gingerols. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of alcohol extract of Zingiber officinale on the fractions of serum protein in mice. For this purpose, four groups of male adult mice (eight per group) were used in experiment. The control group received normal saline and the other 3 groups were received three different doses 10mg/Kg/48h, 20mgKg/48h and 40mg/Kg/48h alcohol extract of ginger at a rate of 5g of body weight at 20 day. The levels of Albumin and Alpha-1, Alpha-2, Beta, Gamma globulins were separated electrophoretically and total protein was measured and A/G ratio was calculated from the pattern of electrophoretogram. The result indicated that the levels of Albumin increased significantly in two experimental groups that had received 20 mg/Kg/48h and 40 mg/Kg/48h extract of Zingiber officinale as compared to the control group, but the levels of Alpha-1, Alpha-2, Beta and Gamma globulins didn't have any remarkable changes in any group. The injection 20mg/Kg/48h and 40mg/Kg/48h alcohol extract of Zingiber officinale increased (p<0.05) the total protein level in plasma as compared to the control group. A/G ratio (Albumin/Globulin ratio) were significantly (p<0.05) higher than control group in only group 3 that received 20mg/Kg/48h but not the others. This can be interpreted that in the absence of antigen stimulation, serum globulins did not alter markedly. The study shows that since albumin synthesis occurs in the liver cells, thus administration of ginger may improve the status of liver function significantly.