Ginger extract promotes pancreatic islets regeneration in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) exerts an antidiabetic effect by restoring pancreatic β-cells. The present study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which ginger extract induces the regeneration of functional β-cells in diabetic rats. Sprague-Dawley rats (n=27) were divided into three groups: normal rats given double distilled water (ddH2O) (NC, n=11), diabetic rats (injected with 60 mg/kg streptozotocin) given ddH2O (DC, n=8), and diabetic rats treated with aqueous ginger extract (DG, n=8). The effect of ginger extract intake on the differential expression of neurogenin-3 (Neurog3), V-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homolog B (Mafb), insulin 2 (Ins2), and glucagon (Gcg) was assessed using quantitative real-time PCR after one and eight weeks of treatment. The pancreatic insulin source was determined using immunohistochemical analysis. After one week, ginger treatment significantly up-regulated the expression of both Neurog3 and Mafb in the DG rats compared with the DC rats. However, after eight weeks, the mRNA levels of these genes dropped significantly in parallel with the up-regulation of Ins2 and Gcg expression, resulting in increased serum insulin levels, weight, and lowered fasting blood glucose levels. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a restored β-cell mass and islet architecture in the DG group. Ginger extract exerts an antidiabetic effect by acting on pancreatic progenitors and α-cells to restore β-cell mass in streptozotocininduced diabetic rats. These findings suggest that ginger extract could be a potential stimulator of β-cell neogenesis, which provides an alternative to meet the increasing demand for exogenous insulin in patients with diabetes.