Luteino Lorna Hamman1, Martha Orendu Oche Attah1,2, Fatima Ismail Ibrahim1, Nathan Isaac Dibal1, Helga Ishaya Bedan1, Yohanna Ayuba1, Barka Ishaku1
1Department of Human Anatomy, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
2Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Cyprus International University, Nicosia, Cyprus
*Corresponding author’s Email: marthaorendua@unimaid.edu.ng, doi.org/10.55639/607.020100134
ABSTRACT
Paracetamol overdose is one of the leading causes of drug-induced liver injury, resulting in hepatocellular damage through the formation of the toxic metabolite N-acetyl-p benzoquinone imine (NAPQI). Zingiber officinale (ginger) possesses antioxidant and anti inflammatory phytochemicals that have been reported to exert hepatoprotective effects. This study investigated the effect of Zingiber officinale on paracetamol-induced liver injury. Twenty-five albino rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 5). Group I served as normal control and received distilled water. Group II received paracetamol (1000 mg/kg) only and served as negative control. Groups III and IV received paracetamol followed by aqueous extract of Zingiber officinale at doses of 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg, respectively, while Group V received paracetamol followed by silymarin (100 mg/kg). Treatments were administered orally for five days. Body weight, liver index, and histological changes of the liver were evaluated. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparison test, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Significant differences (P<0.001) were observed in body weight but not in liver index among the experimental groups. Rats treated with 400 mg/kg of Zingiber officinale exhibited a trend toward improved body weight gain and liver index compared with paracetamol-only group. Histological examination revealed severe centrilobular congestion, sinusoidal collapse, hemorrhage, and lymphocytic infiltration in the paracetamol-treated group. Administration of Zingiber officinale markedly preserved hepatic architecture, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, maintained sinusoidal integrity, and prevented severe vascular congestion. The hepatoprotective effect was more pronounced at the 200 mg/kg dose and was comparable to that observed with silymarin treatment. Zingiber officinale demonstrated hepatoprotective activity against paracetamol-induced liver injury by preserving liver histoarchitecture and reducing inflammatory changes despite producing no significant effects on body weight or liver index. These findings suggest that Zingiber officinale may serve as a promising natural hepatoprotective agent against paracetamol-induced hepatic damage.
KEYWORDS
Histology,
Hepatoprotecti
on,
Paracetamol,
Hepatotoxicity,
Liver.