Vol. 9, Special Issue 9 (2020)

Author(s):
VI Borekar, AP Somkuwar, NV Kurkure, SW Bonde and M Hedau

Abstract:
The present study was conducted to evaluate the safety of 50% ethanolic extract of Zingiber officinale rhizomes on 30 Wistar rats divided into 5 groups, each comprised of 6 rats. Group T₁ served as control and Group T₂, T₃, T₄ and T₅ administered with extract @ 100, 200, 400, 800mg/kg body weight, respectively for 28 days. During the experiment, there were not any mortalities and abnormalities in general body condition of rats while, reduced body weight from Group T₅ was observed. No significant changes were observed in haematological values. There was slight elevation of AST, ALT & ALP level at high dose of extract (800mg/kg BW) whereas, no significant alterations observed in the levels of serum creatinin, total protein and albumin. Decreased total cholesterol level was noticed in all extract treated groups indicating the lipid lowering effect of plant. The histopathological studies revealed that high dose of extract (@ 800mg/kg BW) caused mild degenerative changes in liver & kidney. Finally, it was concluded that, 50% ethanolic rhizome extract of Z. officinale @ 100, 200, 400mg/kg BW considered to be safe without any adverse effect, whereas extract @ 800mg/kg BW has adverse effect on body weight and weight gain with mild degenerative changes in liver & kidney of rats.