Introduction: Carbon tetrachloride (CCL4) is a potent environmental hepatotoxin that was commonly used in industrial applications. The main active component in ginger is 6-gingerol which is responsible for many of its medicinal properties.
Aim of the work: To assess the possible protective role of orally administered 6-gingerol on a model of hepatic injury induced by CCL4 in adult male albino rats.
Materials and Methods: Thirty adult male albino rats were used in this study and were divided into three groups. Group I: control group which was further subdivided into three subgroups, group II: received intraperitoneal injection of CCL4 twice / week for two weeks. Group III: received oral 6-gingerol daily five days before the injection of CCL4 -as in group II- and continued till the end of experiment. After two weeks from last injection of CCL4. All rats were sacrificed; the right lobe of the liver was taken and processed. Sections stained by H&E, Mallory`s trichrome stain and immunostaining for TNF-α and PCNA were prepared. Morphometric and statistical analysis were also performed.
Results: Liver of group II showed hepatocytes with vacuolated cytoplasm and congested hepatic sinusoids. Congested portal veins and dilated bile ducts were also seen at portal tract areas. Increased collagen fibers at the portal tract areas were seen by Mallory's trichrome. Increased intensity of positive immune reaction for TNF-α and PCNA was also observed in this group. In group III the liver showed picture nearly similar to that of the control. Morphometric and statistical analysis confirmed the histological and immunohistochemical results.
Conclusions: The present work concluded that 6-gingerol could provide a good protection of the liver in a model of hepatic injury induced by CCL4.