EVALUATION THE EFFECT OF GINGER HYDRO-ALCOHOLIC EXTRACT ON THE HEART DYSFUNCTIONS INDUCED BY ALCHOHOL IN RAT

Chronic alcohol consumption is now recognized as a factor that enhances
susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases through mechanisms that still are not completely cleared. The
purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of ginger extract on 8-hydroxy-2' -
deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) changes and as well as heart muscle cell proliferation induced by ethanol in
the heart of rat.
Materials & Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were regimented to three equal sized groups: 1.
Control, 2. ethanol (4.5 gr/kg BW by gavaj), 3. Ginger extract treated ethanolic groups (4.5 gr/kg ethanol
along 50 mg of ginger extract). After 42 days, 8-OHdG and cell proliferation in heart tissue were
measured.
Results: The results showed a significant increasing in 8-OHdG amounts and heart muscle cell
proliferation in ethanol group compared to the control group. Ginger extract administration along
ethanol, reduced significantly 8-OHdG amounts and heart muscle cell proliferation compared to the
ethanol group.
Conclusion: These findings indicate that ginger extract significantly improves heart structural
abnormality in ethanolic rats and that these effects can be associated with antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties of ginger extract.