Garlic (Allium sativum) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) attenuate structural nephropathy progression in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

SummaryBackground & aimsDiabetic nephropathy is a consequence of metabolic abnormalities spearheaded by hyperglycemia. This study investigated the hypoglycaemic effects of garlic and ginger on the kidney structure of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.MethodDiabetic Sprague Dawley rats received a single daily intraperitoneal dose (500 mg/kg) of extracts of raw garlic (n = 10) or ginger (n = 10) for seven weeks. Normal rats (n = 10) and non-treated diabetic rats (n = 10) acted as reference. At the last week, serum glucose and 24-h protein clearance were determined, and kidneys were processed for light microscopy examination.ResultsCompared to normal levels, non-treated diabetic serum glucose and protein clearance were 330% and 185%, respectively (P < 0.05). Compared to non-treated diabetic rats, garlic or ginger-treated diabetic rats serum glucose and protein clearance levels decreased by 45% and 50%, respectively (P < 0.05). Images of non-treated diabetic kidneys showed characteristic histopathological changes (e.g. capsular space shrinkage, glomerular hypertrophy and diffusion, glomerular and microvascular eosinophilic precipitation, and cytoplasm fragmentation and retraction). In garlic or ginger-treated rats, these renal structural changes although evident were less prominent.ConclusionsThe hypoglycaemic effects of garlic and ginger concurred with attenuation in the progression of diabetic structural nephropathy.