Effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on cadmium toxicity

Abstract

  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.