Does Ginger Protect Against Ovarian Damage in Rats Induced by Sodium Metabisulfite Toxicity? An Experimental Evidence

Background: Sulfites including sodium metabisulfite (SMB) are commonly used as food preservatives and pharmaceutical products. Despite their worldwide use, there is evidence suggesting their toxicity on human organs and tissues. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of SMB with or without Zingiber officinale (ginger) extract on the rat ovary. Methods: A total of 32 adult, female Wistar rats were divided into four groups of eight each. They consisted of, a) control group, b) ginger group (500 mg/kg/day), c) SMB group (260 mg/kg/day), and d) combined SMB and ginger group at identical doses. After 28 days, the rats were sacrificed and the ovarian tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), as a marker of lipid peroxidation was measured. The volume and weight of the ovaries and the number of follicles at different stages were counted by stereological methods. Results: The SMB treatment caused a significant decrease in the ovarian volume and the number of follicles with simultaneous increase in the number of degenerate follicles (P≤0.001) and MDA level (P≤0.01). Ginger treatment of the rats exposed to SMB significantly increased the number of follicles at various stages and partially reversed the ovarian tissue level of MDA, compared to that in the control group (P≤0.05). Conclusions: The SMB treatment induced structural changes in the rats’ ovaries and the concomitant treatment with ginger largely reversed the damages caused by SMB.