ABSTRACT

This work is to check for the renal protective effect of ginger on rats which were given nitrate-treated drinking water. 21 wistar albino rats were divided into four groups (A, B, C, D). Group A which contains 5 rats served as the control group. They were fed with normal feed and normal drinking water. Group B (made up of 6 rats) were fed with feed formulated with 2.4g of ginger and water treated with 400mg/l of NaNo3. Group C (containing 5 rats) were fed with normal feed and water treated with 400mg/l of NaNO3. Group D (containing 5 rats) were fed with feed formulated with 2.4g of ginger and 2% ascorbic acid, and water treated with 400mg/l of NaNo3. Kidney function tests-urea and creatinine, were carried out on the blood samples of all the 4 groups. The results of the analysis were as follows: urea level; for group A (control) = 4.42mmol/l; group B (nitrate + ginger) = 6.03mmol/l, group C (nitrate only) = 5.36mmol/l, group D (nitrate + ascorbic acid = 6.06mmol/l. creatinine level; group A (control) = 96µmol/l, group B = 106.33µmol/l, group C = 105.4µmol/l, group D = 92.2µmol/l. Using creatinine which is strong biomarker for kidney dysfunction, there was no significant difference between the normal control and the treatment groups (p>0.05). So 400mg/l level of nitrate administered to the rats did not have significant adverse effect on them and the 2% ginger helped in the proper functioning of the kidney as shown in their increased final weights.