Efficacy of Prepubertal Administration of Zingiber officinale (Ginger) on Reproductive Hormones in Male Sprague-Dawley Rats http://www.doi.org/10.26538/tjnpr/v7i12.50

Abstract

There has been continuous interest in the use of ginger due to its antioxidant indices in the treatment of diseases. Considering the increase in the consumption of ginger also by the younger generation and while its antioxidant effect is considered a benefit, it is important to investigate its impact on other system-induced functions in the body. Therefore, this study was designed to determine the possible effects of prepubertal exposure of ginger on reproductive hormones. A total of 24 male prepubertal models were divided into three experimental groups of 8 pups each. Group A received distilled water while group B and C received low dose (250 mg/kg body weight) and high dose (500 mg/kg body weight) of ginger suspension daily for 14 days respectively. The antioxidant status was evaluated using serum biochemical assays while reproductive hormone profiles were determined by chemiluminescence immunoassay techniques. Data were analysed using Graph pad prism version 8.0. The estimations of glutathione, superoxide dismutase and catalase levels were significantly higher in the low and high dose groups while malondialdehyde estimations in both low and high dose groups showed a statistical significance lower level when compared with the control. There were significant higher levels of follicle stimulation hormone, luteinizing hormone, estrogen and testosterone in all high dose groups (β**P<0.01; (β***P<0.001) when compared with the control. It is evident that ginger has positive impact on reproductive hormones following prepubertal exposure. Therefore, the consumption of ginger is considered a safe agent against fertility function.