The Immunomodulatory Effects of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Extract on CD4 and CD8 Expression in Spleen of Diabetic Rats

Abstract

Aim:This study aims to examine the changes of the ginger extract treatment on CD4 and CD8 expressions in the spleen tissue of rats, in which the experimental diabetes was induced with streptozotocin.Materials and Methods:Forty Wistar albino rats were divided into 5 groups: control, sham, ginger, diabetes, diabetes+ginger. The spleen tissue sections were stained by Crossman’s triple staining and the streptavidin-biotin peroxidase complex method. Diabetes was induced by 50 mg/kg streptozotocin injection intraperitoneally in the diabetes and diabetes+ginger groups. Ginger extract was administered to the ginger and diabetes+ginger groups at dose of 200 mg/kg for 30 days. Statistical measurements were analyzed in order to determine whether there was a difference between the groups in terms of weight of the spleen, the number of immunopositive CD4 and CD8 cells, and ratio of CD4/CD8.Results:It was observed that the numerous lymph follicles were atrophied and most of the follicles did not have a germinal center in the diabetes group. Also, it was determined that ginger extract reduced degenerative changes. While it was observed that CD4 and CD8 expression was intense in the diabetes group, the intensity of CD4 and CD8 expression was decreased in the diabetes+ginger group compared to the diabetes group. In addition, it was determined that the spleen weight decreased in the diabetes group and increased in the diabetes+ginger group, which was similar to the control and sham groups.Conclusion:In this study, it was revealed that ginger exerted a protective effect against STZ-induced diabetes in rats and had immunostimulatory effect in diabetic experimental model. Also, it can be used therapeutically in spleen problems and diabetes-related immune dysfunction.

Keywords

• cd4
• cd8
• spleen
• diabetes
• ginger