Cytoprotective Effects of Zingiber officinale Against the Oxidative Stress Induced by Lead Acetate Toxicity in Rats

The evaluation of the effect of ginger on the modulation of toxic effects induced by lead is the objective of our study. Forty male rats were randomly divided into four groups and treated daily for 3 consecutive months. Group I (0-0) was kept as control; group II (0-G) received an experimental diet with 2% of ginger; group III (Pb-0) received 2% lead acetate dissolved in drinking water with a normal diet; and group IV (Pb-G) received 2% lead acetate in drinking water and an experimental diet containing 2% ginger. Lead acetate exposure caused a significant increase of organosomatic indexes, hepatic, lipid, and urine profiles. In addition, lead acetate has a pro-oxidative effect expressed by a significant decrease in tissue GSH levels and the enzymatic activity of GPx and CAT. This pro-oxidative action was also marked by an increase in MDA level and GST activity in lead-treated group. Feeding ginger-supplemented diet to lead acetate-treated rats restored all the parameters studied as compared to control. These results suggest that ginger treatment exerts a protective effect on metabolic disorders by decreasing the oxidative stress.