Cardioprotective effects of 6-gingerol on restraint stress-induced damage in Wistar rats

Gingerol, the key active ingredient in ginger, is known for its numerous medicinal benefits. This research sought to explore, for the first time, Gingerol's potential to alleviate oxidative stress and apoptosis in the hearts of rats exposed to restraint stress (RS). Male albino rats were divided into four experimental groups, each comprising six rats: Group I (Control rats), Group II (Control rats given Gingerol), Group III (stressed rats) subjected to RS by being confined in restrainers for 2 hours daily for 21 days, and Group IV (stressed rats treated with Gingerol). After 21 days, the rats were sacrificed, and blood samples were taken via cardiac puncture for biochemical assays of lipid peroxidation (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH), and catalase (CAT). Heart tissues were meticulously collected for histological (hematoxylin and eosin staining) and biochemical assessments of oxidative stress and inflammation markers. Gingerol treatment in stressed rats enhanced their antioxidant defenses by decreasing LPO and increasing the levels of SOD, catalase CAT and GSH. Moreover, gingerol reduced the histopathological alterations caused by restraint stress in cardiac tissues, significantly lowering tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. These results indicate that 6-Gingerol has antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects, which can protect the rat heart against stress-induced oxidative damage.