1.1 Introduction
Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc) is a monocotyledonous, herbaceous, tropical plant belonging to the family Zingiberaceae. It’s a perennial plant usually grown as an annual crop. The crop is native to southern Asia mainly in India and china from where it spread to most tropical and subtropical countries (Vasala, 2012). Ginger (Zingiberofficinale) has been used as a medicine to treat a variety of diseases around the world since time immemorial. The active ingredients of rhizomes and leaves of ginger like zingerone, gingerdiol, zingibrene, gingerol and shogaol known to have antioxidant activity (Zancan et al., 2002). These ingredients particularly gingerol and shogaol have shown a protective effect on the liver prominent diabetes, kidney, eye, and nervous system complications (Li, 2012).
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Ginger is a spice originated from the Rhizomes of the plant Zingiber officinale. It is valued around the world as an important cooking spice. Ginger is available fresh and dried, as ginger extract and ginger oil and in tinctures, capsules and lozenges. The important active components of the ginger root are thought to be volatile oils and pungent phenol compounds such as gingerols, shogaols, zingerone and gingerous (Sekiwa et al, 2000; Zancar et al, 2002).
Young ginger rhizomes are juicy and fleshy with a mild taste. They can be steeped in boiling water to make ginger herb tea. Mature ginger rhizomes are fibrous and nearly dry. It is also medically used for its immunomodulatory, anti-tunorigenic, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic and antioxidant properties. In addition, it was found that Zingiber officinale is associated with a beneficial effect on male reproductive functions in rats, which confirmed by other studies on the increased sperm counts, motility, testosterone and decreased malonhydialdehyde levels. It was also observed that the administration of ginger can significantly increase testosterone level, in plasma and stimulate spermatogenesis.
Although the effectiveness of ginger as an antioxidant agent has been exploited in animals, little human research has been conducted on its activity on male reproductive functions. Mucuna urens is a plant that belongs to the family fabaceae, commonly found in home gardens in the south eastern parts of Nigeria, West Africa, where the Efik’s, Ibibio’s and Igbo’s use the seeds as a major soup condiment for thickening. In Northern Nigeria, farmers incorporate the seed into the normal feed for farm animals due to its rich protein content (Umoren et al, 2007).
Spices in general show both antifungal and antioxidant characteristics, inhibiting the growth of bacteria and other pathogenic microbes. The antifungal activity of spices is due to specific phytochemicals or essential oils. The main factors that determine the antifungal activity are the type and composition of the spice, amount used, type of microorganism, composition of the food, ph value and temperature of the environment. Ginger is a medicinal plant that has been widely used all over the world, since antiquity, for a wide array of unrelated ailments including arthritis, rheumatism, sprains, sore throats, muscular aches, pains, constipation, vomiting, hypertension, indigestion, fever and infectious disease(Ali et al.,2008).
In human, ginger is thought to act directly on the gastrointestinal system to reduce nausea. Ginger has direct antifungal activity and thus can be used in treatment of bacterial infections (Tan and Vanitha 2004). It's antibacterial power is effective against preventing numerous intestinal problems that take place as a result of the alteration of the intestinal flora. This is ideal to avoid the formation of ulcers by eliminating the Helicobacter pyloria bacterium whose secretions of ammonia are responsible for many ulcers, especially those of the duodenum, and other gastric problem. It also neutralize the Gastric acid. The main antifungal agent is Ginger oil is a naturally occurring Phenol which disrupts the cell wall of bacteria causing cytoplasmic leakage. Ginger has the capacity to eliminate harmful bacteria such as E.coli, responsible for most of the diarrhoea, especially in children. It has been shown to reduce the stickiness of blood platelets, hence may help to reduce risk of artherosclerosis. In other localities where Mucuna urens is found, it is known as velvet bean, pica-pica, being nutritionally (Esonu et al., 2001).
Therefore keeping in view the significance of Ginger the present work was carried out to study antifungal effects of these spices against food borne pathogenic bacteria.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigation revealed that ginger in large doses can cause miscarriage and other complications during pregnancy. Certain experts believe that ginger could cause bleeding due to its anti-platelet (blood thinning) properties. High doses of ginger on the other hand can also aggravate hypertension. An American study reports the occurrence of heat burn in the involved subjects who were given ginger. The most common side effects occur only when it is taken in excessively large amounts. Ginger also stimulates the secretion of bile, which benefit digestion but, if the stomach is empty this can lead to enough gastric stimulation, leading to digestive distress and an upset stomach.
Lastly, according to an Iranian study, the most common allergic reaction to ginger is a skin rash, skin redness and skin inflammation. The most common side effects of Mucuna urens include nausea and a sensation of abdominal bloating, less common side effects include vomiting, abnormal body movements, and insomnia.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of ethanol extract of zingiber officinale (ginger) and mucuna urens (horse eye-bean) on testosterone in male albino rats. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To identify the effects of Mucuna urens (Horse-eye beans) on testosterone;
- To determine the effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on testosterone; and
- To investigate the combined effects of ginger and Mucuna urens on testosterone.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Are there combined effects of ginger and Mucuna urens on testosterone?
- What are the effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on testosterone?
- What are the effects of Mucuna urens (Horse-eye beans) on testosterone?
1.6 Significance of Study
The result of this study will increase knowledge to the existing literature about the effect of ethanol seed extract of Mucuna urens and ginger on testosterone. This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.7 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Effect of Ethanol Extract of Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) and Mucuna Urens (Horse Eye-Bean) on Testosterone in Male Albino Rats.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet).
1.9 Definition of Technical Terms
Ginger: Ginger is a flowering plant that originated in Southeast Asia. It's among the healthiest (and most delicious) spices on the planet. It belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, and it's closely related to turmeric, cardamom, and galangal.
Activity: An activity is a phase, task, operation or other component within an activity group. Activities provide a framework for establishing and collecting budgets, costs, revenues and statistical information.
