CYTOPROTECTIVE EFFECTS OF AQUEOUS GINGER (ZINGIBER OFFICINALE) EXTRACT AGAINST CARBIMAZOLE-INDUCED TOXICITY IN ALBINO RATS

Saber A. Sakr*, Sobhy E. Hassab El Nabi, Yosry A. Okdah, Islam M. El-Garawani, Ahmed M. El-Shabka

ABSTRACT

Carbimazole is an antithyroid drug used to treat over active thyroid gland. On the other hand treatment with carbimazole associated with many side effects. In our research, rats treated with carbimazole for three and six weeks showed significant increase in percentage of apoptotic and necrotic cells by using dual staining of leucocytes by acridine orange and ethidium bromide. Moreover DNA fragmentation was observed after six weeks of treatment with carbimazole. Also comet assay revealed DNA damage in rats treated with carbimazole for six weeks. An increase in chromosomal aberrations were recorded with decreased cell proliferation was reflected by a decrease in mitotic index. Combined treatment with aqueous ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract and carbimazole caused a reduction in chromosomal aberrations, DNA damage and increasing cell viability by decraesing apoptotic and necrotic percentage with an increase in mitotic index. The results of this study indicated that aqueous ginger extract ameliorates the genotoxicity and cytotoxicity induced by carbimazole in albino rats and this is may be due to the potent antioxidant effects of its components.

Keywords: Zingiber officinale, Carbimazole, DNA, chromosomal aberrations, cell viability, comet assay.