Abstract

The effect of chronic intake of Zingiber officinale (ginger) on the small and large intestines of albino rats was studied. The ginger sample was mixed with the normal rat ration in three different proportions to represent low, medium, and high concentrations, respectively. The fourth group representing the control received no ginger. All the rats were fed twice daily ad libitum for two months. Analysis was done every two weeks throughout the period of the study. The following indices were determined, glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerol. Also acid lipase, acid phosphatase and amylase activities were determined. The result showed that the level of glucose increased within the first one month in the small intestine, but decreased in subsequent weeks as compared to the control. In the large intestine there was a general decrease except for the first two weeks. Cholesterol and triglycerol levels generally decreased as compared to the control throughout the period of the study. The variance was not significant (P < 0.05). The activities of acid lipase and acid phosphatase generally decreased as compared to the control throughout the period of the study and within the small, and large intestines. Amylase activities on the other hand increased in the small intestine, but decreased in the large intestine over the control. The sample studied may have stimulated increased absorption of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerol, while the activities of acid phosphatase and acid lipase were inhibited.

Key words: Spice, gastrointestinal tract, digestive enzymes, glucose, lipids.