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

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 ۲۰۰ or ۴۰۰ 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), ۳β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (۳βHSD), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), ۱۷β-estradiol, and progesterone was observed in the diabetic rats. Ginger (۲۰۰ mg/kg) exhibited a significant amelioration in the levels of glucose, testosterone, and MDA. Treatment with ۲۰۰ mg/kg ginger enhanced the levels of GPx, StAR, and ۱۷β-estradiol. Administration with ۴۰۰ mg/kg ginger extract also ameliorated the level of glucose, testosterone, MDA, and elevated the level of insulin, GPx, ۳βHSD, StAR, ۱۷β-estradiol, and progesterone in the diabetic rats. Conclusion: The current study suggests ginger extract protects against ovarian damage in STZ-diabetic rats.

کلیدواژه ها:

Diabetes ، Ginger ، Ovary ، Oxidative stress ، Steroidogenesis