Oral Administration of Ginger Rhizome Extract Protects against Side Effects of Azathioprine on Erythropoiesis

Author(s)

Almarshad, H., Elderdery, A.Y.

Author's Affiliation

Abstract

Ginger has many therapeutic properties, being antioxidant and able to inhibit the formation of inflammatory mediators that are also important in driving erythropoiesis. The aim of this study is to detect the role of ginger rhizome in protecting and regulating erythropoiesis while using Azathioprine (AZA) as an immunosuppressive drug. Three groups of guinea pigs were allocated randomly, four in each group, twelve in total. Group I was treated orally with 50 mg/kg AZA daily for five days. Group II received 50 mg/kg body weight of AZA in combination with 50 mg/ml of ginger rhizome extract in the same protocol, while the guinea pigs in group III were left untreated as a control group. Erythrocyte count and RBC indices were measured at the end of the study period in all animals, using a standard haematology analyzer (Sysmex). AZA was found to affect erythropoiesis, causing significant elevation (p < 0.05) of erythrocyte count, Hb and PCV, but not, in group I (AZA) compared to the control group.  MCV was found also to be significantly higher (p < 0.05) in groups I and 11 compared to the control group, causing macrocytic anaemia. The effect of AZA was neutralized by ginger rhizome, as the results for erythrocyte count, Hb and PCV in group II was found to be the same as in the control group without significant variation (p > 0.05). In conclusion the results of the present study reveal that the ginger rhizome extract might have a role in counteracting the stimulatory effect of AZA on erythropoiesis.

Keywords

Macrocytic anaemia, erythropoiesis, ginger rhizome, azathioprine, RBC aplasia

Cite This Article

Almarshad, H., Elderdery, A.Y. (2015). Oral Administration of Ginger Rhizome Extract Protects against Side Effects of Azathioprine on Erythropoiesis, International Journal for Pharmaceutical Research Scholars (IJPRS), 4(4), 38-42.