Abstract—This study was carried out to investigate the possible antioxidant activity of Zingiber officinale (ginger) ethanolic extract on formalin-induced testicular toxicity in rats. Twenty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: (1): control; (2): rats exposed with 10% formalin; (3): rats exposed with 10% formalin and treated with ethanolic ginger extract; (4): rats treated with ethanolic ginger extract. Exposure of 10 % formalin was performed through inhalation while ethanolic ginger extract was administered orally. Determination of malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were assessed upon harvested testicles. As a result, 10% formalin exposure significantly increased the concentration of MDA as compared to control. Meanwhile, all groups showed significant increase in SOD level as compared to control. There is no significant difference of CAT activities in all experimental groups as compared to control. However, rats exposed with formalin and treated with ethanolic ginger extract significantly increased the CAT activity as compared to the group of formalin exposure only. In conclusion, 10% formalin triggered oxidative stress in testicles with the evidence of the significant increase of MDA concentration. Moreover, ginger exhibit antioxidant properties which proven by the increase of SOD and CAT activities.

Index Terms—Zingiber officinale, formalin, testicles, oxidative stress, antioxidant

Cite: T. I. Rasyidah, S. Suhana, H. Nur-Hidayah, M. A. Kaswandi, and R. M. Noah, "Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity of Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) on Formalin-Induced Testicular Toxicity in Rats," Journal of Medical and Bioengineering, Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 149-153, September 2014. Doi: 10.12720/jomb.3.3.149-153