Evaluation of the protective effects of co-administered Zingiber officinale and Allium sativum ethanol extracts on hepatic and renal functions using female Wister rat modelsDaniel Ikechukwu Oraekei *, Peter Chibueze Ihekwereme, Chukwuka Benjamin Uzodinma,

Abstract

Hepatic and renal function tests are done to indicate how well the liver and kidneys are working. Parameters been tested include serum concentration of alanine transferase, aspartate transferase, alkaline phosphatase, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine among others. This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of singly and combined administration of Zingiber officinale and Allium sativum on hepatic and renal functions. The herbs were extracted with ethanol. A total of 40 female Wister rats were grouped into eight (n=5). Group 1 was treated with distilled water and served as control; group 2 was treated with 530 mg/kg body weight of Zingiber officinale and group 3 treated with the same dose of Alliun sativum. Groups 4-8 were treated with different ratios of Z;A (Zingiber officinale: Allium sativum). On the 91st day of treatment, blood samples were collected from all the rats and analyzed for the parameters. Zingiber officinale decreased all the tested parameters significantly (P ˂ 0.05) when compared with group 1. Allium sativum on the contrary increased the parameters except for creatinine where it showed no activity. The combination of the two herbs reduced the concentration of the parameters but the reduction was only significant (P ˂ 0.05) when the proportion of Zingiber officinale was greater. In conclusion, only monotherapy of Zingiber officinale protected the liver and kidneys from damage; and if these herbs must be used together for enhanced liver and kidney health, the ration Z:A = 8:2 in which the proportion of Zingiber officinale is more should be recommended.