Modulatory effects of ginger and clove oils on physiological responses in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

The present study was conducted to compare the efficiency of ginger, clove and ginger plus clove oils supplementation in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic and non-diabetic male Wistar rats. In comparison with control, highly significant increases in the values of blood glucose (273.72%), triglycerides (34.97%), cholesterol (65.79%), low density lipoprotein LDL-cholesterol (201.07%), total protein (21.09), creatinine (74.31%), urea (82.08%), uric acid (81.23%), alanine aminotransferase (74.36%) and aspartate aminotransferase (34.99%) were observed in STZ-diabetic rats, while the value of high density lipoprotein HDL-cholesterol was markedly declined (21.68%). Administration of ginger oil to diabetic rats resulted in mild increases of the levels of blood glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, total protein, urea, uric acid and aspartate aminotransferase, while the value of HDL-cholesterol was significantly decreased. Moreover, the treatment with ginger oil noticeably restored the values of blood creatinine and alanine aminotransferase activity to the control levels. Supplementation of tested oils significantly decreased the haematobiochemical changes in STZ-diabetic rats. In comparison with control, administration of ginger oil or ginger plus clove oils significantly reduced the levels of blood glucose in non-diabetic rats. Reducing effect of ginger oil on the level of blood triglycerides was notably observed in non-diabetic rats. From the present new findings, it was suggested that ginger, clove and ginger plus clove oils supplementation may act as antioxidant agents and these oils could be an excellent adjuvant support in the therapy of diabetic mellitus and its complications. © 2007 Asian Network for Scientific Information.