Zingiber zerumbet L. (Smith) extract alleviates the ethanol-induced brain damage via its antioxidant activity

Abstract

BackgroundZingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith belongs to the Zingiberaceae family that is widely distributed throughout the tropics, particularly in Southeast Asia. It is locally known as ‘Lempoyang’ and traditionally used to treat fever, constipation and to relieve pain. It is also known to possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Based on these antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, this study was conducted to investigate the effects of ethyl-acetate extract of Z. zerumbet rhizomes against ethanol-induced brain damage in male Wistar rats.MethodTwenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into four groups which consist of normal, 1.8 g/kg ethanol (40% v/v), 200 mg/kg Z. zerumbet extract plus ethanol and 400 mg/kg Z. zerumbet plus ethanol. The extract of Z. zerumbet was given once daily by oral gavage, 30 min prior to ethanol exposure via intraperitoneal route for 14 consecutive days. The rats were then sacrificed. Blood and brain homogenate were subjected to biochemical tests and part of the brain tissue was sectioned for histological analysis.ResultTreatment with ethyl-acetate Z. zerumbet extract at 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg significantly reduced the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl (p < 0.05) in the brain homogenate. Both doses of extracts also significantly increased the level of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities as well as glutathione (GSH) level (p < 0.05). However, administration of ethyl-acetate Z. zerumbet extract at 400 mg/kg showed better protective effects on the ethanol-induced brain damage as shown with higher levels of SOD, CAT, GPx and GSH in the brain homogenate as compared to 200 mg/kg dose. Histological observation of the cerebellum and cerebral cortex showed that the extract prevented the loss of Purkinje cells and retained the number and the shape of the cells.ConclusionEthyl-acetate extract of Z. zerumbet has protective effects against ethanol-induced brain damage and this is mediated through its antioxidant properties.Graphical abstractZ. zerumbet extract protects against ethanol-induced brain damage via its antioxidant properties

Bombax ceiba flowers extract ameliorates hepatosteatosis induced by ethanol and relatively moderate fat diet in rats

“…Treatment with BCE restored the normal hepatic concentrations of these studied antioxidant enzymes, which suggests the ability of active constituent of the extract to interact directly with ROS and scavenge free radicals [39]. Also, treatment with BCE significantly decreased MDA level by stopping the formation of lipid peroxide from fatty acids [40]. Our results were in line with the previous studies which have shown that the watermelon juice had hepatoprotective effects after excessive ethanol consumption in rats [41].…”

Neuroprotective Effects of Ethyl Acetate Extract of Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith against Oxidative Stress on Paraquat-Induced Parkinsonism in Rats

“…In all, Z. zerumbet proves to have high antioxidant activity through induction of endogenous antioxidant that reduces free radical activity and this can be evidenced by the results of this study. Similarly, this finding is also supported by Hamid et al (2018) that proved the ability of ethyl acetate extract of Z. zerumbet in protecting ethanol-induced brain damages via its antioxidant property.…”

“…Regardless of treatment, all animals were killed on Day-20. Prior to killing, the animals were anesthetized with KTX (Ketamine, xylazine and zoletil) with dosage of 0.5 mL/kg (Hamid et al 2018) and decapitated to collect trunk blood and brains for sampling. Blood was collected in plain tubes and allowed to coagulate at room temperature for 3 h. Serum was obtained after centrifugation at 3000 rpm for 10 min and stored at -20°C until further use.…”

“…A lot of study has found that active compounds present in the natural products have high contents of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. These properties can protect the neurons against neurodegenerative conditions thereby preserving or even enhancing cognitive function (Essa et al 2012;Hamid et al 2018). Z. zerumbet extracts and the pure compound, Zerumbone, fit the ideal characteristics of a neuroprotective drug due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiplatelet aggregate activities as reviewed in Yob et al (2011).…”

Physical Exercise Attenuates Oxidative Stress and Morphofunctional Cerebellar Damages Induced by the Ethanol Binge Drinking Paradigm from Adolescence to Adulthood in Rats

“…Although the literature indicates oxidative stress as one of the main mechanisms of CNS damage caused by EtOH [45–47], our research is the first to describe the oxidative changes in the cerebellum of rats triggered by the binge pattern and EtOH consumption from adolescence through adulthood in rats. We have shown that even with 4 binge episodes during this period, there is a decrease in total antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and an increase in lipid peroxidation (MDA) levels on the cerebellum; this was previously reported by other studies but through chronic consumption [44, 45, 48]. Even though neural damage mechanisms have not yet been fully understood, oxidative stress is considered one of the most relevant [46, 49].…”