Dietary Zingiber officinale (Ginger) Supplementation Ameliorates Lead Carbonate-Induced Hepato-Renal Toxicity and Inflammation in Female Wistar Rats

Abstract

In low and middle-income countries, lead contamination remains a significant public health threat due to weak regulatory enforcement. Lead exposure induces oxidative stress and systemic inflammation, leading to liver and kidney dysfunction. This study aimed to investigate the ameliorative effects of dietary ginger (Zingiber officinale) supplementation against lead-induced damage in Wistar rats. Female Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 6): Control (A); lead carbonate (30 mg/kg/day, oral) (B); lead + 1% ginger diet (C); and lead + 5% ginger diet (D) for 28 days. Serum levels of creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and liver histology were assessed. Lead exposure significantly (p < 0.05) elevated markers of hepato-renal injury (creatinine, AST, and ALT), increased the oxidative stress marker (MDA), and raised pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6). Conversely, it depleted the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, while inducing severe liver histopathological damage compared to the control group (Group A). Dietary ginger supplementation dose-dependently attenuated these lead-induced alterations. Notably, the 5% ginger diet (Group D) significantly (p < 0.05) reduced all markers of organ damage and inflammation, decreased MDA, and increased both TAC and IL-10 levels compared to Group B. In conclusion, dietary ginger, particularly at a 5% supplementation level, demonstrates significant protective effects against lead-induced hepato-renal toxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation in rats, highlighting its potential as a natural hepato-renal protective agent.