Influence of dietary ginger (Zingiber officinales Rosc) on oxidative stress induced by malathion in rats

Pesticide chemicals may induce oxidative stress leading to generation of fr ee radicals and alterations in antioxidants or oxygen free radical (OFR) sc avenging enzymes. Hence, the effect of subchronic malathion (O,O-dimethyl-S -1,2, bis ethoxy carbonyl ethyl phosphorodithioate) exposure was evaluated on lipid peroxidation, glutathione and related enzymes and OFR scavenging e nzymes in albino rats. Administration of malathion (20 ppm) for 4 weeks inc reased the malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in serum, activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in erythro cytes and glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in serum. However, it decreased the glutathione (GSH) level in whole blood. C oncomitant dietary feeding of Zingiber officinales Rose (ginger 1%, w/w) si gnificantly attenuated malathion induced lipid peroxidation and oxidative s tress in these rats. These results indicate the possible involvement of fre e radicals in organophosphate-induced toxicity and highlight the protective action of ginger, an indigenous medicinal plant product. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.