Evaluation of pharmacodynamics of ginger (Zingiber officinale) compared with gliclazide in diabetic rats

Background:Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common of the endocrine disorders. Despite of the advance in diabetic treatment, many patients seek alternative options due to various reasons.Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has gained popularity because of the possibilities it offers to patients. Gliclazide belongs to the sulfonylurea class of insulin secretagogues, which act by stimulating β cells of the pancreas to release insulin. Ginger is a potential phytomedicine for the treatment of diabetes through its effects on the activities of glycolytic enzymes. Aim of the work:To study the pharmacodynamics of Ginger compared with that of gliclazide on diabetic rats. Materials and methods:This study was carried on 50 Male adult albino rats (200-250g). They were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 included 10 rats served as Control group received single i.v. injection of citrate buffer, in a volume equal to that used as a solvent for streptozotocin (STZ) used to induce diabetes in test groups. Group 2 included diabetic rats 40 rats which were injected by single intraperitoneal injection of a freshly prepared solution of STZ in a dose of 55 mg/kg body weight.The diabetic rats were divided into 4 subgroups. Group A Diabetic rats concurrently treated with saline. After STZ injection, rats were received 10% (wt/vol) of glucose in the drinking water for 3 days. After that, rats of this group were treated orally by saline for 6 weeks. Group B Diabetic rats concurrently treated with gliclazide. After STZ injection, rats were received 10% (wt/vol) of glucose in the drinking water for 3 days. After that, rats of this group were treated orally by 0.3 mg/kg of gliclazide daily for 6 weeks. Group C Diabetic rats concurrently treated with ginger After STZ injection, rats were received 10% (wt/vol) of glucose in the drinking water for 3 days. After that, rats of this group were treated orally by (500mg/kg) of ginger daily for 6 weeks. Group D Diabetic rats concurrently treated with gliclazide and ginger. After STZ injection, rats were received 10% (wt/vol) of glucose in the drinking water for 3 days. After that, rats of this group were treated orally by (0.3 mg/kg) of gliclazide and (1mL/100g.bw) of ginger daily for 6 weeks.Then blood samples were collected and examined for serum glucose, lipid profile, liver and kidney functions. Rats were sacrificed, livers were obtained and prepared for histological examination. Results: There was statistically significant increase of glucose, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, urea and creatinine, and significant decrease of high-density lipoprotein in the diabetic group when compared to control group. Administration of either gliclazide or ginger or combination together was associated with improvement of biochemical alterations associated with diabetes with superiority of gliclazide. Histopathological examination revealed that , normal control had normal structure of the liver, while in diabetic group, the liver tissues showed loss of normal lobular architecture, with liver cell apoptosis (the cells are shrunken, the nuclei were dark stained, fragmented or faint). It was revealed that all diabetic treated groups were able to prevent histopathological abnormalities. Conclusion: The present study showed that ginger is a potential phytomedicine for the treatment of diabetes through its effects on the activities of glycolytic enzymes. The combination of Ginger with gliclazide represents a valuable combination to improve diabetes and its complications.