This study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant activity of ginger (zingiber officinale) in preventing oxidative stress ,lipid peroxidation and changes in trace elements induced by cadmium toxicity in male rabbits .
For this purpose twenty four of adult male rabbits were divided randomly in to four groups ( 6 in each). Group 1 was given distilled water and considered as control group, group 2 received ( 10mg/kg B.w) of cadmium chloride , group 3 received ( 100mg/ kg B.w) of ginger extract plus (10mg/kg B.w) of cadmium chloride , group 4 received (200mg/ kg B.w) of ginger extract plus of cadmium chloride(10mg/kg B.w) . All treatments were orally given a single dose for 35 days. The water and food were provided add libitum.
After the end of the treatment blood samples were taken for biochemical analysis to estimate serum Malondialdehyde ( MDA) , Antioxidant activity (Glutathione , Superoxide dismutase and Catalase ) and Trace elements (Zinc, Copper and Iron ) .
The result showed that the administration of cadmium chloride resulted in a
high concentration of malondialdehyde ( MDA) and caused a significant decrease in
both superoxide dismutase and catalase and reduced glutathione. Serum levels of
trace elements were also significantly decreased. While , ginger extract
administration and cadmium chloride increased and restored their levels to near
normal in comparing with cadmium chloride treated rabbits.