Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: When an individual predisposed to diabetes has excess weight, the cells in the body become less sensitive to the insulin which regulate blood sugar level. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and Garlic (Allium sativum) are plants that have been acknowledged over years for their medicinal and therapeutic effects on mammals.

Aim of The Study: Was to determine the effect of ethanolic and aqueous extract of Zingiber officinale and Allium sativum on weight reduction of streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus in adult male wistar rat model.

Materials and Methods: Thirty six (36) adult male wistar rats weighing 100g-210g were used and divided into 9 groups (Normal control, diabetes control, metformin treated control, ethanolic extract of ginger, ethanolic extract of garlic, aqueous extract of ginger, aqueous extract of garlic, aqueous extract of ginger + garlic and ethanolic extract of ginger+ garlic). Diabetes was induced intraperitoneally with streptozotocin (35 mg/kg) and was confirmed using Accu-check glucometer. Treatment followed for two weeks with the administration of aqueous and ethanol extract of ginger and garlic as grouped respectively. The weight and blood glucose level of the rats were assayed and were subjected to analysis

Results: Showed that there was a significant (P<0.05) reduction in the body weight of the rats treated with aqueous and ethanolic extract of Zingiber officinale & Allium sativum when compared with the diabetic group. However, the normal control group showed a significant increase in the body weight compared to other groups. There was associated significant decrease in the concentration of blood glucose (P<0.05) in groups treated with aqueous and ethanol extract of Zingiber officinale and Allium sativum compared with metformin treated group only

Conclusion: Aqueous and ethanolic extract of Zingiber officinale and Allium sativum produced a significant weight reduction and anti-diabetic effect in diabetic rats than metformin (standard drug).

Keywords: Zingiber officinale, Allium sativum, Weight reduction, streptozotocin