Effect of Ethanolic Extract of Zingiber Officinale Rhizome on Blood Glucose Level in Glucose-induced Hyperglycaemic Wistar Rats

Abstract

This study determined the effects of Zinger officinale Rhizome ethanolic extract on blood glucose levels in hyperglycemic Wistar rats. Twenty five adult male Wistar (150±8 g) with an average blood sugar level of 145 mg/dL were used for the study. They are divided into five treatment groups: Group A (Glucose Control – 1 g/kg bwt), Group B (Zinger officinale Rhizome extract low dose - ZOREL – 100 mg/kg bwt), Group C (Zinger officinale Rhizome extract medium dose -ZOREM – 250 mg/kg bwt), and Group D (Zinger officinale Rhizome extract high dose – ZOREH – 500 mg/kg bwt). Rats in groups B through D also received glucose (as in Group A) to cause hyperglycemia. The extracts were administered within an interval of 1-2 h for a period of ten days. Oral glucose tolerance and fasting blood glucose levels were assessed. Plasma glucose levels increased as a result of experimentally creating hyperglycemia by ingesting glucose orally. However, when the extract was given to the rats, their blood glucose levels significantly dropped. Rats administered ZOREH (Group D) on a 360-minute schedule showed the greatest decrease. At 370 minute into the experiment, ZOREL induced a reduction in blood glucose levels of 17.039%, whereas ZOREM and ZOREH generated reductions of 18.03% and 16.07% respectively. Similarly, rats given the extract (Groups B-D) had considerably lower fasting blood 5 to 10 days of glucose induction indicating that the extract enhanced the utilization of glucose. The findings suggest that ingesting Zingiber officinale rhizome extract in sufficient amounts can stabilize blood sugar levels in hyperglycemic rats.