Abstract
This study was designed to investigate the protective effect of 6-shogaol and 6-gingerol against hepatotoxicity induced by diclofenac sodium (DFS). Compounds 6-shogaol and 6-gingerol were isolated from 5% gingerol oleoresin and their potential hepatoprotective activity was evaluated. Hepatotoxicity was induced in rats by an intra-peritoneal (i.p.) injection of DFS (150 mg kg(-1)). Rats were i.p. injected with 6-shogaol and 6-gingerol (10 mg kg(-1)) for 6 days before induction of hepatotoxicity. Blood and liver sample were taken from each rat at 24 h post intoxication. Serum activity of liver marker enzymes such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were assayed. Levels of alkaline phosphates enzymes (ALP) and total bilirubin in serum and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver homogenate were also estimated. Moreover, liver injury was assayed histologically. Results of present study revealed that i.p. injection of DES to rats induced hepatic damaged that was manifested by significant (p<0.001) increase in the AST, ALT, ALP, total bilirubin in serum and MDA in liver homogenate. Histological data presented marked damaged in section of liver from DES treated rats. I.p. injection of 6-shogaol to rats for 6 days before DFS-intoxication reversed these altered parameters near to normal control values. On the other hand, 6-gingerol had comparatively low hepatoprotective efficacy.