ANTIDIABETIC EFFECTS OF [10]-GINGEROL IN STREPTOZOTOCIN- AND HIGH-FAT DIET-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Objective: India is the “diabetes capital of the world” with 62.4 million Indians having type 2 diabetes in 2011. A major risk factor for insulin resistance is obesity, which is generally caused by regular physical inactivity and high-fat diet (HFD). Obesity and diabetes are closely related to each other as about 80% of diabetics are obese. Obesity is a common finding in type 2 diabetes. The objective of the study was to investigate the antidiabetic effects of [10]-gingerol in streptozotocin (STZ)- and HFD-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Wistar rats were used for the study. Animals were divided into six groups. The six groups in this study were, Group I (normal control), Group II (diabetic control), Group III (glibenclamide at 5 mg/kg p.o.), Group IV (orlistat at 60 mg/kg p.o.), Group V ([10]-gingerol at 15 mg/kg p.o.), and Group VI [10]-gingerol (30 mg/kg p.o.), respectively. The antidiabetic activity was assessed using blood glucose level, body weight, and various biochemical parameters such as serum total cholesterol (TC) level, triglyceride (TG) level, high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), total protein (TP), serum alanine transaminase, and aspartate aminotransferase (serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase), respectively. Results: [10]-gingerol exhibited an antidiabetic effect by significantly decreased the level of blood glucose, body weight, TC, TG, TP, and increase HDL. The results of the study demonstrated that the treatment with [10]-gingerol significantly (p<0.05) and dose dependently prevented STZ- and HFD-induced diabetic rats. Conclusions: The findings of the study suggest that [10]-gingerol possesses potential antidiabetic activity as it lowers serum glucose level.