Protective Effects of Ginger Extract on Oxidative Stress and Steroidogenesis-related Genes in The Ovary of Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

Mehri Fallah Raoufi; Tahereh Mokhlesabadi  Farahani; Elnaz Sadat  Mousavi Sadr Jadidi; Tohid Moradi  Gardeshi

doi:10.18502/ijml.v10i3.13750

Mehri Fallah Raoufi Department of Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Tahereh Mokhlesabadi Farahani Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
Elnaz Sadat Mousavi Sadr Jadidi Department of Basic Sciences, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
Tohid Moradi Gardeshi Department of Veterinary Sciences, Garmsar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Garmsar, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijml.v10i3.13750

Keywords: Diabetes, Ginger, Ovary, Oxidative stress, Steroidogenesis

Abstract

Background and Aims: Ginger has anti-oxidant and anti-diabetic properties, but its beneficial effects have not been fully understood on ovarian disorders in diabetic conditions. In the current project, the impact of ginger extract was investigated on oxidative stress and steroidogenesis-related genes in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced female rats.

Materials and Methods: The STZ-induced rats were utilized as a diabetic model and received 200 or 400 mg/kg/day ginger extract for eight weeks. The biochemical factors were measured by standard procedures in this study. Serum levels of insulin and sex hormones were assessed by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique, and the mRNA expression of target genes was assayed by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results: An increase in the levels of glucose, testosterone, and malondialdehyde (MDA) as well as a decrease in the levels of insulin, glutathione peroxidase (GPx), 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3βHSD), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), 17β-estradiol, and progesterone was observed in the diabetic rats. Ginger (200 mg/kg) exhibited a significant amelioration in the levels of glucose, testosterone, and MDA. Treatment with 200 mg/kg ginger enhanced the levels of GPx, StAR, and 17β-estradiol. Administration with 400 mg/kg ginger extract also ameliorated the level of glucose, testosterone, MDA, and elevated the level of insulin, GPx, 3βHSD, StAR, 17β-estradiol, and progesterone in the diabetic rats.

Conclusion: The current study suggests ginger extract protects against ovarian damage in STZ-diabetic rats.