Assessment of ginger extract and ginger nanoparticles protective activity against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in rats

Abstract

Acetaminophen is widely used analgesics all over the world. However, hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity are the most features of acetaminophen overdose. Ginger is a medicinal plant that has anti-tumorigenic, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidant activities. Recently, ginger nanoparticles have been investigated in liver protection against alcohol-induced liver damage and in treatment of bowel colitis. Our experiment was aimed to judge the protective activity of ginger nanoparticles relative to ginger extract at dose of 120 mg/kg against acetaminophen toxicity at dose of 375 mg/kg (1/10 LD50) daily for three months in male rats from the histological and biochemical aspects. Serum Alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were determined. In addition, urea and uric acid levels were evaluated in serum. Moreover, oxidative stress was evaluated by determining malondialdehyde content and catalase enzyme activity. Meanwhile, histopathological changes in liver and kidney tissues were observed. The present study indicates that liver and kidney biochemical markers, oxidative stress and histopathological structure are improved in rat pretreated with ginger extract. However, rats treated with GNPs were more protective relative to ginger extract pre-treated rat.