Nigella sativa and Ginger Increase GLUT4 and PPARγ in Metabolic Syndrome‐induced Rats

Background: Increased fructose intake has been linked to epidemiology of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus, renal damage and metabolic syndrome (MS). As oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathology of insulin resistance, the present study was conducted to investigate the effects of Nigella Sativa (NS) and ginger, as potent antioxidants on fructose induced MS in rats.

Methods: Male rats were fed with high‐fructose high‐fat fed diet for 8 weeks. By the end of the 8th week, rats were divided into four groups; one was left untreated (normal control) and MS control group treated with saline, MS groups given Nigella sativa (4 ml/kg), and ginger (500 mg/kg) daily for 4 weeks. Markers chosen for assessment included effect on body weight gain, glucose, insulin, adiponectin levels, and lipid profile. Also glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) content and peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐gamma (PPARγ) protein expressions were estimated.

Results: Nigella sativa and ginger ameliorated some manifestation of MS including increase in body weight, glucose, insulin level and resistance. In addition, both drugs lowered insulin resistance induced hyperlipidemia and increased adiponectin level. Drugs also increased GLUT4 and PPARγ protein expression compared with MS control group.

Conclusion: Nigella sativa and ginger ameliorated parameters of MS. They improve the lipid profile and insulin sensitivity via increased adiponectin, GLUT4 and PPARγ expression.