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ABSTRACT
Heavy metals such as arsenic trioxide are the most toxic pollutants due to their solubility in water and absorption by the living organism. Depending on the dose and mode of entry, the body's defense mechanisms, and the person's nutritional status, the effect of this heavy metal poisoning may become apparent right away or after protracted exposure. Weight loss, immunotoxicity, and many other health problems are brought on by prolonged exposure to arsenic. Antioxidants may help in the treatment and/or prevention of arsenic toxicity according to recent study. Medicinal plants have been used in Healthcare since time immemorial. Studies have been carried out globally to verify their efficacy and some of the findings have led to the production of plant-based medicines. This research evaluates the role, contributions and usefulness of Zingiber officinale as a medicinal plant, its protective effects in arsenic trioxide intoxicated rats were also evaluated. A total of 30 adults Wistar rats weighing between 120g and 150g were assigned into six groups (A, B, C, D, E and F) of five rats per group. The rats in each groups had free access to grower marsh feed (Top feed mills, Nigeria) throughout the experiment. Group A which served as control were administered 1ml of distilled H2O, Group B were orally administered 10mg/kg body weight of As2O3 only, while group C and D were orally administered 10mg/kg body weight of As2O3 and aqueous rhizome extract of Zingiber officinale at doses of 190mg/kg and 380mg/kg body weights respectively. Group E were administered 10mg/kg body weight of As2O3 and 50 mg/kg body weight of standard drug silymarin and Group F were administered high doses of Zingiber officinale at 380mg/kg body weight. At the end of the experiment, which lasted for 28 days the animals were euthanized using chloroform anesthesia. The spleen of each rat was harvested and fixed immediately in 10% formal saline and were taken to the Histopathology department in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City for histological processing using H&E stains for microscopy. The statistical values obtained converted into graphical representations in the form of bar charts. Results of the Biochemical analysis indicated that Zingiber officinale had no significant effects using (P<0.05) in terms of body weight, organosomatic index and some of the hematological parameters and also maintained the oxidative stress on arsenic-intoxicated rats. Histological analysis indicated that the graded doses of aqueous rhizome extracts of Zingiber officinale shows a protective effect in arsenic-intoxicated rats. However, it was inconclusive to get the actual dosage pattern.
