Zingiber officinale Rosc. modulates gamma radiation-induced conditioned taste aversion.
The aim of the present study was to investigate the neurobehavioral protective efficacy of a hydroalcoholic extract of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) in mitigating gamma radiation-induced conditioned taste aversion in Sprague-Dawley rats. Administration of Zingiber extract 1 h before 2-Gy gamma irradiation was effective in blocking the saccharin avoidance response for 5 post-treatment observational days, both in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with 200 mg/kg b.w. i.p. being the most effective dose. Highest saccharin intake in all the groups was observed on the fifth post-treatment day. The potential of ginger extract to inhibit lipid peroxidation induced by radiation (2 Gy) and ascorbate-ion stress in brain homogenate and its ability to scavenge highly reactive superoxide anions were evaluated. The 1000-microg/ml and 2000-microg/ml concentration of ginger extract showed the highest efficiency in scavenging free radicals and in inhibiting lipid peroxidation. The lipid peroxidation and superoxide-anion scavenging ability of the extract further supports its radioprotective properties. The results clearly establish the neurobehavioral efficacy of ginger extract and the antioxidant properties appear to be a contributing factor in its overall ability to modulate radiation-induced conditioned taste aversion. Ginger extract has tremendous potential for clinical applications in mitigation of radiation-induced emesis in humans.
Sharma
Ashok
A
Division of Radiopharmaceuticals and Radiation Biology, Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, Brig. SK Mazumdar Road, Delhi 110 054, India.
Haksar
Anupum
A
Chawla
Raman
R
Kumar
Raj
R
Arora
Rajesh
R
Singh
Surender
S
Prasad
Jagdish
J
Islam
F
F
Arora
M P
MP
Kumar Sharma
Rakesh
R
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000528:radiation effects; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004327:Drinking Behavior / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D016166:Free Radical Scavengers / Q000494:pharmacology; D005720:Gamma Rays; D020939:Zingiber officinale; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000378:metabolism; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012439:Saccharin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013649:Taste / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000528:radiation effects; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
D016166:Free Radical Scavengers; D010936:Plant Extracts; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D012439:Saccharin