Protective effects of Zingiber zerumbet rhizome extract on monosodium urate crystal-induced gout rat model

Abstract

Gout is the most common inflammatory arthritis worldwide. Untreated gout causes severe pain and affects the quality of life. Zingiber zerumbet is a well-known traditional plant with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Z. zerumbet extract in gout-induced rats. In this study, 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups (six rats in each group): i) normal control group received normal saline and tween 80, ii) model group injected with monosodium urate (MSU) crystal solution, iii) positive control group received 10 mg/kg celecoxib drug, iv) Z. zerumbet extract at 200 mg/kg, and v) Z. zerumbet extract at 400 mg/kg. The extract was orally administered for 14 days. Rats of all groups (except the normal control group) were injected with MSU crystals (50 μl) into the ankle joint on day 11. The ankle joint was measured before injection 10, 24, 48, and 72 hours after injection. On day 14, all rats were sacrificed. Blood and tissue samples were obtained for the analysis of inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers. In this study, the ankle joint diameter rate was significantly reduced by Z. zerumbet at 200 and 400 mg/kg (p < 0.05) compared to the model group. The extract prevented inflammation significantly (p < 0.05) compared to the model group in white blood cell count, C-reactive protein, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate tests. The two doses of Z. zerumbet also significantly (p < 0.05) promoted the activity of superoxide dismutase and attenuated 8-isoprostane. Thus, this outcome shows that the administration of Z. zerumbet rhizome ethyl acetate extract may be useful and easy to protect against gouty arthritis and the process is probably mediated through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.