Synergistic Effects of Co Administration of Aqueous Ginger Extract and Glibenclamide on Glycaemic Status and Antioxidant Defence in Alloxan Induced Diabetic Wistar Rats

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is linked with persistent hyperglycaemia, oxidative stress and tissue damage, especially in the pancreas, liver and kidney. This study examined the possible synergistic effects of aqueous ginger extract and glibenclamide on fasting blood sugar and antioxidant status in alloxan induced diabetic Wistar rats. Thirty five rats were used. Diabetes was induced with alloxan, and rats with fasting blood sugar above 7.0 mmol/L were selected for treatment. The animals were divided into five groups: normal control, diabetic untreated, ginger treated, ginger + glibenclamide treated and glibenclamide treated. Treatment lasted for 28 days. Fasting blood sugar was measured on days 0, 14 and 28, while the pancreas, liver and kidneys were analyzed for reduced glutathione, glutathione S transferase, superoxide dismutase and lipid peroxidation.

The diabetic untreated group showed increased fasting blood sugar, reduced antioxidant defence and elevated lipid peroxidation. Ginger and glibenclamide improved glycaemic control and antioxidant markers when administered separately. However, the combined treatment produced the strongest effect, reducing fasting blood sugar from 7.36 ± 0.9 mmol/L to 2.3 ± 0.9 mmol/L by day 28 and improving antioxidant enzyme activities in the pancreas, liver and kidney. The findings suggest that ginger may enhance the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of glibenclamide, although the very low glucose level indicates possible hypoglycaemic risk.

Keywords: , , lipid peroxidation, Wistar rats