Okesola_2019_J.Integr.Med_17_125

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the ameliorative potential of Zingiber officinale Roscoe extract against lead-induced brain damage in rats. METHODS: Thirty male rats were divided into 5 groups of 6 rats each. Lead-acetate toxicity was induced by intraperitoneal injection (10mg/kg body weight (b.w.)) in Groups B-E. Group A (control) and Group B (lead-acetate) were left untreated; vitamin C (200mg/kg b.w.) was administered to Group C; ethyl acetate fraction from Z. officinale extract (200 and 100mg/kg b.w.) was administered to Group D and E by oral gavage once daily for 7days. Changes in the content of some key marker enzymes such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), monoamine oxidase (MAO), epinephrine, dopamine, Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as well as malonaldehyde (MDA) levels were determined in serum. RESULTS: Exposure to lead acetate resulted in a significant decrease (P<0.05) in the activities of BChE, AChE, Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, SOD, CAT and GPx with a corresponding increase in the levels of MDA, xanthine oxidase, epinephrine, dopamine and MAO relative to the control group. Levels of all disrupted parameters were alleviated by co-administration of Z. officinale fraction and by the standard drug, vitamin C. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that ethyl acetate fraction of Z. officinale extract attenuates lead-induced brain damage and might have therapeutic potential as a supplement that can be applied in lead poisoning.