Reports of Biochemistry

Background: Doxorubicin, a commonly utilized anthracycline antibiotic and chemotherapeutic agent, has been associated with hepatotoxicity as an adverse effect. This study aimed to evaluate protective effects of zingerone, a bioactive compound derived from ginger renowned for its antioxidative attributes, on oxidative stress in doxorubicin-induced rat hepatotoxicity.

Methods: In this experimental study, a total of 48 male Wistar rats were allocated into six distinct groups. The first group received a control treatment of normal saline. The second group was administered an intraperitoneal dose of 20 mg/kg of doxorubicin on day 5. The third group received an oral dose of 40 mg/kg of zingerone for 8 days. The fourth, fifth, and sixth groups were administered zingerone at doses of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg, respectively, for the same 8-day period. On day 5, all groups, except the control group, received an intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin. Following a 72-hour interval, the animals were anesthetized, and blood samples were collected to assess serum factors. Moreover, portions of the liver tissue were subjected to histopathological analysis and assessment of oxidative stress parameters.

Results: The activity levels of serum enzymes, including aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and liver malondialdehyde (MDA), increased in the doxorubicin group. Conversely, the levels of other parameters such as glutathione peroxidase (GPX), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) decreased. However, the co-administration of zingerone effectively reversed these levels, restoring them back to normal. 

Conclusion: These findings suggest that zingerone, particularly at a high dose, exhibit a hepatoprotective effect in the doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity model.