Effect of Zingiber officinale on some hematologic values in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

This study was designed to investigate the effect of an extract of Zingiber officinale Roscoe ( Zingiberaceae) ( ginger) on some hematologic values in alloxan- induced diabetic rats. Eighteen Sprague- Dawley rats were divided into three experimental groups: control, diabetic, and Z. officinale - treated diabetic. At the end of the experimental period ( 3 weeks), animals in all three groups were fasted for 12 h and blood samples were taken for the determination of glucose levels, red blood cell ( RBC) count, white blood cell ( WBC) count, packed cell volume ( PCV), hemoglobin ( Hb) concentration, and platelet count. It was found that Z. officinale treatment increased the lowered levels of RBC and WBC counts and PCV in diabetic rats ( p < 0.05). However, the RBC count and PCV of the Z. officinale - treated diabetic group were still lower than control. Z. officinale treatment also decreased the elevated level of platelets and glucose concentration of diabetic rats ( p < 0.05). It is therefore concluded that oral Z. officinale treatment might decrease the diabetic-induced disturbances of some hematologic parameters in alloxan- induced diabetic rats.