Effect of Carob and ginger herbs on induced nephrotoxicity in rats

Carob (Ceratonia siliqua) and ginger (Zingiber Officinale) are typical mediterranean plant, mainly used in food and Egyptian traditional folk medicine. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effects of carob and ginger on induced nephrotoxicity in rats. The nephroprotective effects of carob and ginger (0.5, 1.0 and 5%) were investigated using cisplatin (2.5 mg/kg body weight) to induce renal dysfunction in rats. The results showed that cisplatin administration elevated levels of plasma cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol and caused abnormal renal functions in all studied rats. Serum urea and creatinine concentrations were significantly higher (P<0.5) in rats treated with cisplatin (positive control group B) compared to the normal group (negative control group A). Diet supplemented with carob or ginger at (5%) showed a significant reduction in the serum total cholesterol and total triglycerides levels by 34.1, 40.0%, and 33.6, 45.4% respectively. Carob and ginger ameliorated cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity as indicated by significant decrease in serum urea and creatinine concentrations compared to the positive control. The same trend was observed with uric acid and nitric oxide. Thus, carob and ginger may be used to delay the toxic effect of the chemotherapeutic treatment with cisplatin.