Background & Aims: Chronic alcohol consumption is now recognized as a factor that enhances susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases through mechanisms that still are not completely cleared. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of ginger extract on 8-hydroxy-2' -deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) changes and as well as heart muscle cell proliferation induced by ethanol in the heart of rat.

Materials & Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were regimented to three equal sized groups: 1. Control, 2. ethanol (4.5 gr/kg BW by gavaj), 3. Ginger extract treated ethanolic groups (4.5 gr/kg ethanol along 50 mg of ginger extract). After 42 days, 8-OHdG and cell proliferation in heart tissue were measured.

Results: The results showed a significant increasing in 8-OHdG amounts and   heart muscle cell proliferation in ethanol group compared to the control group. Ginger extract administration along ethanol, reduced significantly 8-OHdG amounts and heart muscle cell proliferation compared to the ethanol group.

Conclusion: These findings indicate that ginger extract significantly improves heart structural abnormality in ethanolic rats and that these effects can be associated with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of ginger extract.

SOURCE: URMIA MED J 2016: 26(12): 1101 ISSN: 1027-3727