Antioxidant activity of ginger (Zingiber Officinale Rose) in rats fed a high fat diet

Feeding a high fat diet to rats for 10 weeks resulted in significantly elevated levels of tissue thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and hydroperoxides, significantly lowered activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels, as compared to rats fed a normal diet. Concentrations of serum non-enzymic antioxidants such as vitamin E and vitamin C were also significantly lowered. Simultaneous feeding with ginger (Zingiber Officinale Rose) at doses of 35 mg/kg and 70 mg/kg body weight to rats fed the normal diet and those fed the high fat diet lowered levels of TEARS and hydroperoxides and raised the activities of SOD and CAT and levels of reduced GSH in the aorta, liver, kidney and intestine significantly compared to rats fed an unsupplemented normal or high fat diet respectively. Ginger feeding also elevated the serum vitamin E and vitamin C levels significantly as compared to animals on a normal or high fat diet. Our data indicate that supplementation with ginger can reduce free radical-mediated oxidative stress to the cells. Med Sci Res 27:341-344 (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.