Effect of Zingiber Officinale Ethanol Extract on Renal Functions of Male Wistar Albino Rats Induced with Inflammation

Abstract: This study evaluated the effect of ethanol extract of Zingiber officinale on renal
function markers in male Wistar albino rats subjected to albumin-induced inflammation. The
animals were divided into five groups: blank control, negative control (inflammation without
treatment), standard control (treated with a reference anti-inflammatory drug), and two
treatment groups administered low and high doses of Z. officinale extract. Renal function was
assessed through serum creatinine, urea, calcium (Ca), and chloride (Cl⁻) levels. The negative
control group exhibited significantly elevated levels of creatinine (0.59±0.00 mg/dl), urea
(12.22±0.001 mg/dl), and calcium (6.93±0.11 ppm), alongside a sharp reduction in chloride
(4.42±0.00 ppm), compared to the blank control (p < 0.05), indicating renal impairment caused
by inflammation. Treatment with high-dose Z. officinale extract significantly restored creatinine
(0.52±0.00 mg/dl), urea (11.02±0.03 mg/dl), calcium (5.33±0.13 ppm), and chloride
(7.54±0.11 ppm) levels to values comparable to the standard control and blank groups
(p > 0.05), while the low-dose treatment showed only partial improvement. These findings
demonstrate that Zingiber officinale ethanol extract, particularly at high doses, possesses
nephroprotective properties, mitigating inflammation-induced renal dysfunction and restoring
electrolyte balance.