Role of ginger in ameliorating streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

Diabetes is the most important growing health risk throughout the World. In this study, antidiabetic effects of ginger extract were investigated through measurements of metabolic hormones irisin and hepcidin, liver function enzymes and hematological analysis. Forty female, healthy Wistar albino rats were divided into 5 groups: Control, Sham, Diabetic, Ginger (200 mg/kgbw) and Ginger+Diabetes group (200 mg/kgbw). While the plasma irisin level decreased in diabetic group, it increased in the Ginger group. However, hepcidin level increased in the diabetic group, but decreased in the Ginger group. Also, a positive and significant correlation was found between hematocrit and hepcidin in Ginger+Diabetes group rats. In addition, increased total cholesterol level was improved in Ginger+Diabetes group. Based on the findings, it can be suggested that ginger may have an important role on glucose intolerance in diabetes though irisin and hepcidin metabolism. Also, irisin may be used as a marker of diabetes.