Remediation of Hepatotoxic Effect of Tamoxifen with Ginger in Rat Model

Background:Tamoxifen is a non-steroidal oestrogen receptor modulator.It has strong anti-estrogenic activity on oestrogen receptor 2 in the breast tissue.It is the treatment of choice in breast cancer cases following surgery and radiotherapy,it is the most potent weapon against breast cancer.All stages of hormone-dependent breast cancer are currently treated with tamoxifen.Long-term tamoxifen therapy may cause hepatotoxicity which would perclude the use of tamoxifen.Hence this study was done to determine whether ginger has a role in protecting liver toxicity caused by tamoxifen.Methods:Twenty female albino rats(SD)were divided into 4 groups.Each group formed of five rats:Group I:Serves as control group received normal rodent diet and water,GroupⅡ:Received ginger powder(200 mg/kg)dissolved in normal saline,orally daily for 6 weeks,GroupⅢ:received TAM at a dose of 20 mg/kg daily for 6 weeks orally GroupⅣ:Received TAM(20 mg/kg)then after 2 hrs they are orally given Ginger powder(200 mg/kg)daily for 6 weeks.Results:Tamoxifen 20 mg/kg/day caused hepatotoxicity in rats.When ginger is added to tamoxifen there is no development of hepatotoxic features like:marked sinusoidal congestion in the lobules and lab parameters showed decrease in serum AST and ALT levels when compared to tamoxifen group levels.Conclusion:Ginger supplementation would reduce the incidence of hepatotoxicity&related adverse drug reactions among breast cancer patient on therapy.