Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) Improves Ethanol-Induced Reproductive Dysfunction by Enhancing Steroidogenesis and Inhibiting Oxidative Stress and Inflammation

Ginger is traditionally used as a sexual enhancer in folk medicine. Despite extensive studies on the effect of ginger on reproduction, the molecular mechanism of ginger prevention effect on ethanol-induced reproductive disorder is not fully understood. Twenty-four adult male ratswereallocated into control, ethanol (4 g/kg of body weight (BW)/day), ginger (250 mg/kg of BW/day) and ginger-ethanol group. Ginger and ethanol were administrated by gavage for 28 days. Testicular concentration of testosterone, TNF-alpha, and antioxidant enzymes activity and serum concentration of gonadotropins hormone and testosterone were measured. The gene expression of Nrf2 and NF-kappa B which regulate oxidative damage and inflammation, respectively, and StAR, P450scc and 17 beta HSD which are involved in testosterone synthesis were detected. Ethanol significantly decreased gonadotropin hormones, oxidative markers, expression of genes involved in testosterone synthesis and Nrf2, and in reverse significantly increased TNF-alpha, MDA and gene expression of NF-kappa B compared to control (p<0.05). While ginger could significantly improve all of the above factors compared to the ethanol group (p<0.05). These results were also supported by histological findings. It can be concluded that ginger prevents the ethanol-induced reproductive dysfunction by improving the gonadotropins, oxidative damage and inflammation and the genes involved in testosterone synthesis.