Ameliorative effects of ginger and alpha-lipoic acid on oxidative stress and inflammation in senile female rats

作者：Hegazy Hoda G^*

来源：African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 2011, 5(8): 1096-1105.

• Ginger-alpha-lipoic acid- oxidative stress- inflammatory mediators' factors- cyclooxygenase-2

Oxidative stress is recognized as an important environmental factor in aging. The reactive oxygen species and related free radicals are normally produced both intra and extracellular and air-breathing organisms cannot avoid the risk of oxidative stress. Moreover, recent studies have advanced the notion of chronic inflammation as a major risk factor underlying aging and age-related diseases. In the present study, the evaluation of the protective effects of ginger and alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation on senile female rats is evaluated during inflammation. The results showed a significant increase in lipid peroxidation but a significant reduction in the reduced glutathione level (GSH), the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and cytochrome P450 (CytoP450) in hepatic aged female rats. In addition, this study revealed a significant increase in the inflammatory mediators interlukin-1(IL-1), interlukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) as well as the activity of cyclooxygenase enzyme (COX-2). Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in serum nitric oxide (NO) in aged female rats. Ginger and ALA were effective in minimizing aged-related oxidative burden through decreasing lipid peroxidation, increasing GSH content and promoting antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, the compounds under investigation reduced the levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-alpha, in addition to inhibiting the activity of COX-2. The levels of serum NO was also increased by the treatments.

• 出版日期2011-8