Background and purpose: Diazinon (DZN), as an organophosphate insecticide, is used in agriculture and have destructive effects on heart. Zingiber officinale (ginger), as a medicinal plant has antioxidant properties. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of ginger against DZN-induced cardiotoxicity in rats.
Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 32 adult female Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups, including control, and experimental groups that received ginger (100 mg/kg/day, gavage), DZN (10 mg/kg/day, IP injection), and ginger plus DZN. Ginger was given one hour before diazinon. All drugs were treated for 30 consecutive days. One day after receiving the last drug, oxidative stress parameters (MDA and GSH), serum biochemical, and histopathological assays of heart have been done. Data were analysed using One-Way ANOVA and Tukey test.
Results: The results revealed that DZN significantly increased oxidative stress (increased MDA and decreased GSH content). Histopathological changes induced in heart tissue, were associated with a significant increase in level of cardiac injury markers (CPK and LDH level) in serum. Ginger significantly reduced oxidative stress, decreased CPK, LDH, and improved histopathological damages.
Conclusion: Ginger with antioxidant activity has an effective role against DZN-induced cardiac injury by reducing oxidative stress.