HYPOGLYCAEMIC EFFECTS OF NIGERIAN ZINGIBER OFFICINALE RHIZOME ON EXPERIMENTAL DIABETIC RATS

Abstract

The aqueous extract of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberaceae) rhizome was studied in Streptozotocin (STZ) and Glucose-induced diabetic rats to evaluate its hypoglycaemic activity. The aqueous extract was administered intraperitoneally at 2g/kg, 4g/kg and 8g/kg. The hypoglycaemic effect produced by the extract in STZ induced diabetic rates and glucose-induced hyperglycaemia were found to be shown 30 min after drug administration having high significant value as compared to diabetic control rats. However, there is no significant change with increase in dose between 4 and 8g/kg in STZ diabetic rats. When compared to chlopromide (45mg/kg), the aqueous extract if ginger at 2g/kg was of equal potency. Hypoglycaemic effect was also observed in glucose-induced hyperglycaemia when 4kg/kg of ginger extract was used under the same conditions. The results of this study indicate that the acute dose of aqueous extract of Nigerian cultivated Zingiber officinale rhizome exhibited hypoglycaemic activity.


Key Words: Anti-diabetic effects, Zingiber officinale, Ginger, hypoglycaemic agent, STZ induced diabetic, Glucose-induced hyperglycaemia.


[Nig. J. Nat. Prod. And Med. Vol.6 2002: 33-35