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, Group Ⅱ: Received ginger powder (200 mg/kg) dissolved in normal saline, orally daily for 6 weeks, Group Ⅲ: received TAM at a dose of 20 mg/kg daily for 6 weeks orally Group Ⅳ: 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.