Role of ginger (zingiber officinale) against metalaxyl induced hepatotoxicity in male albino rats: a histological and immunohistochemical study

Abstract

Background: Metalaxyl is a fungicide used to control soil-borne fungal diseases on fruits, cotton, soy bean, peanuts and grasses. Food contamination with metalaxyl is a worldwide problem especially in developing countries. Ginger has antioxidant properties. Aim of the work: To elucidate the histological alterations that may occur in the liver tissue of rat by metalaxyl and to investigate the role of ginger supplementation against these alterations. Materials and methods: Thirty healthy adult male albino rats were used in this study. They were equally divided into three groups: Group I served as control group. Group II (metalaxyl-treated) received 130 mg/kg body weight/day of metalaxyl dissolved in distilled water using a gastric tube for 3 times/week for continuous 4weeks. Group III (metalaxyl-ginger treated group) received metalaxyl as group II in addition to ginger given orally at a dose of 100 mg/kg three times/week for successive 4 weeks. At the end of experiment, all rats were anaesthetized and liver specimens were taken and processed for light and electron microscope examination. Immunohistochemical staining was carried out for detection of the proapoptotic marker Bcl-2 antagonist-X (BAX) protein in hepatocytes. Area % of BAX protein was measured and statistically analyzed. Results: Examination of the liver sections of metalaxyl-treated group ІІ showed different degrees of focal lobular affection. Central veins and blood sinusoids were dilated and congested. The hepatic lobules lost their normal architecture and the hepatocytes showed cytoplasmic vacuolization with darkly stained nuclei. Enlarged portal areas with numerous bile ductules and cellular infiltration were detected. Ultrastrcturally, hepatocytes had condensed heterochromatin nuclei and electron lucent areas were observed in their cytoplasm. Significant increase in area % of positive immunoreaction for BAX was detected in comparison with control group and group ІІІ. Examination of liver sections of group ІІІ revealed preservation of nearly normal histological structure with slight congested blood vessels and few cellular infiltration. Conclusion: Metalaxyl had pathological effects on the structure of rat's liver and these effects were decreased by ginger.

Evaluation of the Effects of Agro Pesticides Use on Liver and Kidney Function in Farmers from Buea, Cameroon

“…A similar observation was made for ethoprophos, an insecticide that has been shown to induce hepatotoxicity in mice [33]. e use of the fungicide active principles metalaxyl and copper oxide was also associated with elevated ALT activity in the farmers, and corroborate previous reports on hepatotoxicity of these chemicals in rodents [34,35]. In general, fungicides, with a cumulative frequency of 20% (as opposed to 7% for insecticides) were the most represented pesticide group associated with hepatotoxicity among farmers.…”

Assessment of Ginger Extract and Ginger Nanoparticles Protective Activity against Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity and Nephrotoxicity in Rats

“…Pretreatment with ginger extract 9GE) markedly improved the histological structure of the liver cell membrane and decreased the release of aminotransferases from hepatocytes, in addition to decline the oxidative stress induced by APAP. These results may be attributed to the antioxidant effect of ginger and its capability to maintain the cell membrane integrity (EI-Ghonaimy, 2015). The antioxidant effect of ginger is associated with its active ingredients such as gingerols and shogaols which consider the most important components present in ginger root (Mekuriya and Mekibib, 2018).…”

Toxic effects of Lambda-cyhalothrin, on the rat thyroid: Involvement of oxidative stress and ameliorative effect of ginger extract

“…It has been reported that ginger administration improved the histopathological changes and increased the glycogen and proteins contents in the liver of rats treated with 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) and fungicide Metalaxyl benzenoid. [ 6 , 26 ].…”