ABSTRACT
Many people still use plant-derived medicines for their basic health requirements. Zingiber officinal Roscoe [Ginger] is a spice that has been used since two thousand years ago as a medicine in several Asian countries. Increase of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen [BUN] level is representative of renal failure. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic Zingiber extract on creatinine and BUN in order to estimate the renal function. In an experimental study, 10, 20, 40 mg/kg of a hydroalcoholic extract of Ginger was administered intraperitoneally [IP] to male mice every other day for 20 days. Subsequently, using ophthalmic puncture method, their blood was used to measure BUN and creatinine levels. The mean of BUN concentration in the control group was 37.68 +/- 3.89 and in the case groups received 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg of hydroalcholic extract of Ginger during 48 h were 21.54 +/- 11.38 [p<0.05], 25.3 +/- 3.42 [p<0.01], and 20.79 +/- 6.61 [p<0.01], respectively. There was significant difference between the case and the control group for BUN level [p<0.01], but not for the creatinine level. BUN/creatinine ratio was significantly [p<0.05] different between the two groups. Ginger may be useful to change BUN and creatinine level of blood to achieve normal body balance