Objective
This study investigated the ameliorative potential of Zingiber officinale Roscoe extract against lead-induced brain damage in rats.
Methods
Thirty male rats were divided into 5 groups of 6 rats each. Lead-acetate toxicity was induced by intraperitoneal injection (10?mg/kg body weight (b.w.)) in Groups B–E. Group A (control) and Group B (lead-acetate) were left untreated; vitamin C (200?mg/kg b.w.) was administered to Group C; ethyl acetate fraction from Z. officinale extract (200 and 100?mg/kg b.w.) was administered to Group D and E by oral gavage once daily for 7?days. Changes in the content of some key marker enzymes such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), monoamine oxidase (MAO), epinephrine, dopamine, Na+/K+-ATPase, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as well as malonaldehyde (MDA) levels were determined in serum.
Results
Exposure to lead acetate resulted in a significant decrease (P?<?0.05) in the activities of BChE, AChE, Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, SOD, CAT and GPx with a corresponding increase in the levels of MDA, xanthine oxidase, epinephrine, dopamine and MAO relative to the control group. Levels of all disrupted parameters were alleviated by co-administration of Z. officinale fraction and by the standard drug, vitamin C.
Conclusion
These results suggest that ethyl acetate fraction of Z. officinale extract attenuates lead-induced brain damage and might have therapeutic potential as a supplement that can be applied in lead poisoning.

Key words: Zingiber officinale, Acetylcholinesterase, Monoamine oxidase, Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, Lead acetate, Neurodegenerative disorders