Effects of Zingiber officinale and Curcuma longa on the liver function of albino rats infected by Trypanosoma brucei brucei

Abstract

The study determined the effect of Zingiber officinale and Curcuma longa on the liver function of albino rats infected by Trypanosoma brucei brucei. Acclimated five to six-weekold male rats were divided into five groups (A – E), each with three replicates. Group A; positive control (uninfected and untreated), Group B; negative control (infected and untreated), Group C (treated with 10 g of ginger meal mixed with 1 kg of chick mash), Group D (treated with 10 g of turmeric meal mixed with 1 kg of chick mash) and Group E (treated with 5 g each of ginger and turmeric in 1 kg of chick mash). The liver function tests were assayed using standard protocols and statistically analysed data. Results showed that AST showed no significant difference (p>0.05) in all the groups. ALT was normal in Group D, followed by Group B, then Groups C and E. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) between Groups B, C and D. The ALP result showed no significant difference (p>0.05) between Groups A, C and D. Still, it was significantly different for Groups B and E. At the levels administered, ginger and turmeric supplements had minimal to zero ameliorative hepatoprotective effects in Trypanosoma-infected rats. Based on these results, there is a need for further research; on higher dosages of ginger and turmeric supplements, and the use of other medicinal herbs that may ameliorate physiological stress caused by Trypanosoma infection in the liver cells of rats.