Abstract
Background and Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate the antioxidant effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale), cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia) and combined formula of both powders on the oxidative status on Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methodology: Fifty male wistar Albino rats were randomly divided into five groups (n=10). Group (1) Normal control rats received basal diet. Group (2) Diabetic control, which injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of 50 mg/kg STZ and received basal diet. Group (3) received basal diet with 15% of ginger. Group (4) received basal diet with 15% of cinnamon. Group (5) received basal diet with 15% of combined formula (50/50). Herbal powders and combination were placed in rats' diet by 15% of dried materials for 30 days for STZ rats. Oxidative status was investigated by measuring the total antioxidant capacity and the level of antioxidant biomarkers such as malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the serum, in addition to, catalase (CAT), MDA, GPx and SOD in the liver tissue. Results: Changes in body weight, food intake and food efficiency ratio were significantly observed between STZ and control groups. Administration of 15% combined formula was the most significantly (P<0.05) effective in reduction of plasma glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-C, VLDL-C, and liver enzymes, in addition to an elevation in FER, insulin, and HDL-C compared to diabetic control group. Furthermore, CAT, GPx, and SOD were significantly (P<0.05) elevated in liver tissue in combined formula-treated group. Conclusion: Administration of ginger and cinnamon powder with 15% showed amelioration of all investigated parameters with synergistic effects than each single herb on hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic effects with a remarkable decrease in both serum and tissue lipid peroxidation with enhancing antioxidant status for diabetic rats.