Influence of Garlic (Allium Sativum) and Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) Compared to Aspirin (Acetyl Salicyclic Acid) on Diabetic Cardiovascular Complications, Involvement Of Eicosanoids In Pathogenesis

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In this research, streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, a model of type I diabetes mellitus (DM), were used to study the effects of daily administration (8 weeks) of garlic and ginger separately and in combination, and aspirin. Whole blood glucose and serum creatinine, cholesterol, triglycerides and uric acid were significantly elevated in STZ-induced diabetic rats, and were significantly lowered by ginger and garlic treatments. Aspirin treatment of diabetic animals significantly decreased serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels but had little effect on blood glucose and serum uric acid. In contrast, total serum and liver protein and serum albumin decreased significantly in diabetic rats, compared to normal rats, while the ginger, garlic and ginger + garlic-treated diabetic rats had serum and liver protein and albumin levels similar to normal controls. Total serum antioxidant levels were significantly lower in diabetic control rats compared to normal controls and were significantly increased by ginger and garlic, separately and in combination, but not aspirin. Serum insulin levels were decreased over 10- fold in diabetic rats, compared to normal controls and were significantly increased by ginger and garlic, separately and in combination, but not aspirin. In addition, total urine creatinine, protein and albumin were elevated in diabetic animals compared to normal rats, and all garlic and ginger treatments resulted in significant decrease. In contrast, urine uric acid was significantly decreased in diabetic rats and significantly elevated by ginger and garlic, separately and in combination, but not aspirin treatment. Glycated hemoglobin (GHb) levels increased over 3-fold in the serum of diabetic control rats with garlic-, ginger, and garlic + ginger treated rats showing a significant decrease in GHb levels. Serum fructosamine levels were doubled in diabetic control rats and were significantly lowered by ginger and garlic, separately and in combination, but not by aspirin. Liver and serum alkaline phosphatase and lactate dehydrogenase were significantly elevated in diabetic control rats and were significantly decreased by ginger and garlic but not aspirin treatment. Thromboxane-B2 levels were significantly elevated in diabetic control rats and were significantly lowered by ginger, garlic and aspirin treatment. Most of the inflammatory prostanoids measured in serum were not changed in diabetic controls compared to normal but were decreased by ginger and aspirin, but not garlic treatment. Systolic blood pressure was significantly elevated in diabetic rats compared to normal controls, and was significantly decreased by garlic and ginger, separately and in combination, but not aspirin. Histological evaluation of the kidney indicated that diabetes resulted in significant damage which was significantly improved in garlic and ginger-treated rats. Aspirin treatment resulted in marginal improvement in the kidneys. Diabetic rats lost weight during the experiment, and increased water and food intake as well as urine output compared to normal controls. Ginger treatment of diabetic animals resulted in a modest weight gain, but decreased food and water intake and urine output. In contrast, although the water and food consumption of garlic-treated diabetic rats was close to diabetic controls, these rats exhibited a slight weight increase and similar to ginger-treated rats, urine output was significantly decreased compared to diabetic controls. In comparison, ginger + garlic-treated rats gained weight, deceased water but not food intake, and decreased urine output. Aspirintreated diabetic animals exhibited no change in urine protein and creatinine, body weight, water and food intake and urine output compared to diabetic control animals. Thus, this research shows the anti-diabetic effects of garlic and ginger on both physical and biochemical indicators of diabetes. Evaluation of a wide range of prostanoids also indicates that garlic and ginger have different mechanisms of action, with garlic exhibiting mainly antithrombotic activity which ginger clearly has anti-inflammatory effects.