African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 6 (18), pp. 2078-2082, 19 September 2007   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2007 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on cadmium toxicity

Egwurugwu, J. N.¹*, Ufearo, C. S.², Abanobi, O. C.³, Nwokocha, C. R.⁴, Duruibe, J. O.⁵, Adeleye, G. S.⁶, Ebunlomo, A. O.⁶, Adetola, A. O.⁶ and Onwufuji, O.⁶

¹Department of Physiology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Imo State University, P.M.B. 2000, Owerri Imo State, Nigeria.

²Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, P.M.B. 5001 Nnewi Campus, Nigeria.

³Department of Public Health Technology, School of Health Technology, Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 1536 Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

⁴Department of Physiology, Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria.

⁵Department of Chemistry/Biochemistry, School of Industrial and Applied Sciences, Federal Polytechnic Nekede, P.M.B. 1036 Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

⁶Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Madonna University Elele Campus, P.M.B. 5 Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria.

*Correspondent author. E-mail: feziechi@yahoo.com. Tel: +234 803 711 7341.

Accepted 27 July, 2007

Thirty six Winstar rats were divided into six equal groups and investigated for induced cadmium toxicity, and the detoxicating action of ginger on liver-accumulated cadmium. Group 1, the control, were fed with normal rat chow and water for six weeks. Group 2 were fed with normal rat chow and cadmium water (200 ppm Cd in water). Group 3 were fed with rat chow-ginger concentrate (95:5, w/w ratio) and water, while Group 4 were fed with rat chow-ginger concentrate and cadmium water, all for six weeks. Group 5 were fed with normal rat chow and cadmium water initially for one week, followed by rat chow-ginger concentrate and water for five weeks; while Group 6 were fed with rat chow-ginger concentrate for one week, followed by normal rat chow and cadmium water for five weeks. Cadmium accumulated highly in rat livers without ginger administration, and raised serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT), while ginger lowered these parameters. Ginger had better therapeutic than prophylactic detoxication effects on liver cadmium accumulation, especially as further cadmium intake was stopped. It was concluded that cadmium detoxication by ginger was more effective therapeutically, than prophylactically, as further cadmium intake was avoided.

Key words: Bioaccumulation, cadmium, detoxication, ginger, GOT, GPT, Winstar rats.