The protective effect of ginger supplemented diet in normal and carbon-tetrachoride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxic rats was investigated. The first set of animals received only ginger-supplemented diet while the other set were treated with CCl4 before maintaining them on ginger-based diets. Consumption of the experimental diets by the normal rats produced significant elevation (p<0.05) in the activities of the hepatic aspartate aminotransferase and alanine amonotransferase as well as the concentration of protein and albumin. Kidney function analysis showed that the concentration of urea and potassium ion (K+) were significantly affected (p<0.05) while other electrolytes were not (p>0.05). However, all the haematological parameters of the rats were not significantly affected (p>0.05) by the experiment. Administration of CCl4 to the second set of rats resulted in the alteration of the liver function parameters and antioxidant enzymes. However, the significantly reduced (p<0.05) marker enzymes such as AST, ALT, GPx, CAT and SOD, due to CCl4 treatment were restored towards normalization on consumption of ginger diet. The biochemical parameters like total protein and albumin were also restored towards normal levels. The results of this study suggests that the consumption of ginger-based diet maintain the integrity of the liver and protects it against damage.
