the protective effect of hydroalcoholic extract from rhizome of zingiber officinale l. on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic injury in male rat

background: chemical toxins are among the leading causes of liver disorders, inflammation and necrosis in hepatocytes. the aim of this study was to evaluate of protective effect of hydroalcoholic extract from rhizome of zingiber officinale l. (hez) on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic injury in male rat. material and methods: in this experimental studymale wistar rats (n=35, body weight 230-250 g) were divided randomly in 5 equal groups: control (saline, 0.5 ml/day); sham (olive oil, 0.5 ml/day); carbon tetrachloride (in a ratio of 1:1 with olive oil, 2ml/kg single dose); treatment groups 1&2 (carbon tetrachloride in a ratio of 1:1 with olive oil, 2ml/kg single dose and hez in doses of 300 mg/kg and 600 mg/kg zhe/day respectively for 4 consecutive days). all injections were done intra-peritoneally. after the end of examination the blood samples were directly collected from heart and liver enzymes were analyzed. after the collection of liver tissue for h&e; staining the microscopic studies were done. results: carbone tetrachloride caused inflammation and necrosis in rat hepatocytes. the hez-treated groups showed a milder inflammation compared to control group (p<0.01).serum levels of alt, ast, and alp increased significantly in ccl4-treated group compared to the control group (p<0.001). the liver enzymes were significantly decreased in hez-treated groups (p<0.01). conclusion: the hez can protect liver tissue against the carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity.