effects of ginger (zingiberaceae) on diabetes mellitus induced changes in the small intestine of rat

Introduction & Objective: Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disorder and causes gastrointestinal complications .The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ginger on the small intestine of diabetic rats. Materials & Methods: This experimental study was done in the anatomy department of Uremia Medical University in 1385. 24 adult male rats, weighing 250±20 gr were randomly selected and divided into 3 following groups: control, diabetic (induced by 60mg/kg STZ) and treatment groups. The treatment group was given ginger powder (5% of their consumed food weight during day/night period). After 8 weeks, all rats were anaesthetized and their small intestines were removed and measured for their weight and length. For histological assessment, samples from each part of duodenum, jejunum and ileum was fixed in 10% formalin and slides with hematoxilin & eosin staining were prepared. Villi length, crypt depth and muscular layer thickness were assessed by graticule eye piece of light microscope. Statistical analysis, one- way analysis of variance and Tukey’s SPSS software was used for data analysis. Results: The results showed that mean of intestinal length and weight, villi length and muscular layer thickness in all three parts and crypts depth in duodenum and jejunum in diabetic group increased significantly in comparison with control and treatment groups, but there was no significant difference between control and treatment groups. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that ginger as an antioxidant, through decreasing oxidative stress, can prevent pathologic alterations induced by diabetes in small intestine.