Zingiber officinale Rosc. modulates gamma radiation-induced conditioned taste aversion.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the neurobehavioral protective efficacy of a hydroalcoholic extract of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) in mitigating gamma radiation-induced conditioned taste aversion in Sprague-Dawley rats. Administration of Zingiber extract 1 h before 2-Gy gamma irradiation was effective in blocking the saccharin avoidance response for 5 post-treatment observational days, both in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with 200 mg/kg b.w. i.p. being the most effective dose. Highest saccharin intake in all the groups was observed on the fifth post-treatment day. The potential of ginger extract to inhibit lipid peroxidation induced by radiation (2 Gy) and ascorbate-ion stress in brain homogenate and its ability to scavenge highly reactive superoxide anions were evaluated. The 1000-microg/ml and 2000-microg/ml concentration of ginger extract showed the highest efficiency in scavenging free radicals and in inhibiting lipid peroxidation. The lipid peroxidation and superoxide-anion scavenging ability of the extract further supports its radioprotective properties. The results clearly establish the neurobehavioral efficacy of ginger extract and the antioxidant properties appear to be a contributing factor in its overall ability to modulate radiation-induced conditioned taste aversion. Ginger extract has tremendous potential for clinical applications in mitigation of radiation-induced emesis in humans.

• Authors: Ashok Sharma, Anupum Haksar, Raman Chawla, Raj Kumar, Rajesh Arora, Surender Singh, Jagdish Prasad, F Islam, M P Arora, Rakesh Kumar Sharma
• Journal: Pharmacology, biochemistry, and behavior (Pharmacol Biochem Behav) Vol. 81 Issue 4 Pg. 864-70 (Aug 2005) ISSN: 0091-3057 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16023187 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Free Radical Scavengers
• Plant Extracts
• Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
• Malondialdehyde
• Saccharin

Topics

• Animals
• Body Weight (drug effects, radiation effects)
• Brain (drug effects, metabolism, radiation effects)
• Conditioning, Psychological (drug effects, radiation effects)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drinking Behavior (drug effects, radiation effects)
• Free Radical Scavengers (pharmacology)
• Gamma Rays
• Ginger
• Lipid Peroxidation (drug effects, radiation effects)
• Male
• Malondialdehyde (metabolism)
• Plant Extracts (isolation & purification, pharmacology)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Saccharin (administration & dosage)
• Taste (drug effects, radiation effects)
• Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances (metabolism)
• Time Factors