Evaluation of ginger effect on induced chronic toxicity by the dithiocarbamate fungicide "Zineb" in laying hens

ABSTRACT

Ginger rhizome, an indigenous medicinal plant, has a long history of both culinary and medicinal use in a Chinese, Japanese and Indian medical care. The protective effect of ginger on induced chronic toxicity by the dithiocarbamate fungicide "Zineb", was studied in laying hens through the estimation of different blood parameters at different time intervals. These blood parameters are, cholinesterase activities of both red blood cells [RBCs] and plasma, liver and kidney functions, level of cholesterol and triglycerides as well as residue levels and the main metabolites of zineb in laying hens. The obtained results showed that administration of diet treated with zineb at a dose of 100 ppm for two months followed by one month recovery period led to a slight inhibition of RBCs and plasma cholinesterase activities and to a slight decrease in total protein and albumin content. On the other hand, zineb toxicity increased serum creatinine, blood urea, total cholesterol and triglycerides levels. In addition, liver enzymes, alanine aminotransferase [ALT], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], and alkaline phosphatase [ALP] activities showed moderate increase in the zineb treated group. The main metabolites detected in the extracts of different organs, blood and whole eggs of laying hens in group I were, ethylene thiourea, ethylene thiuram monosulifde, ethylene thiuram disulfide, ethylene urea, Jaffe's base in addition to the parent compound, while zineb and ethylene thiourea were detected only in all examined samples in group II which were identified and confirmed by TLC, HPLC and spectral analysis. Addition of Zingiber officinales Rosc [ginger 1%, w/w], on a diet containing zineb at a dose of 100 ppm, significantly ameliorate the toxic effect of zineb to a large extent. Also addition of ginger to contaminated diet with zineb led to decrease the levels of zineb and ethylene thiourea and to disappearance of the other metabolites Hence, the present findings will provide a potential scope for future use of ginger as chemopreventive agent against fungicides toxicity and emphasize the potential of natural plant products as chemopreventive agents