Nephroprotective Effect of Red Ginger (Zingiber officinale var. rubrum) Ethanol Extract on the Histopathological Features of Rat (Rattus norvegicus) Kidneys Induced by Ethylene Glycol / Efek Nefroprotektif Ekstrak Etanol Jahe Merah (Zingiber officinale var. rubrum) Terhadap Gambaran Histopatologi Ginjal Tikus (Rattus norvegicus) Yang Diinduksi oleh Etilen Glikol

Background: The kidney is a vital organ susceptible to damage from exposure to nephrotoxic compounds such as ethylene glycol. Red ginger (Zingiber officinale var. rubrum) is known to contain bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential that may protect the kidney from injury. However, its effectiveness as a nephroprotective agent needs to be scientifically validated. Objective: To evaluate the nephroprotective effect of ethanol extract of red ginger against ethylene glycol–induced kidney damage in male white rats (Rattus norvegicus), Wistar strain. Methods: An experimental study using a post-test only control group design was conducted to minimize bias by ensuring equivalent baseline conditions among groups. A total of 25 rats were divided into five groups: normal control (distilled water), negative control (0.75% ethylene glycol), and three treatment groups (ethylene glycol + red ginger extract at doses of 100, 200, and 300 mg/kgBW/day). Parameters measured included serum creatinine levels and kidney histopathology. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA (p < 0.05) followed by LSD post hoc test. Results: Red ginger extract significantly reduced serum creatinine levels (p < 0.05), with the greatest reduction observed at a dose of 300 mg/kgBW (0.528 ± 0.082 mg/dL). Histopathological improvement of the kidney was also evident, indicated by decreased necrosis, cellular degeneration, and inflammatory cell infiltration. The kidney damage score in the treatment groups (score 1) was lower than in the negative control group (score 2). Conclusion: Ethanol extract of red ginger exhibits a nephroprotective effect against ethylene glycol–induced kidney injury, with the optimal dose being 300 mg/kgBW/day. These findings support the potential of red ginger as an alternative therapy for kidney disorders, although further studies are needed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms and conduct clinical trials.

Latar Belakang: Ginjal merupakan organ vital yang rentan mengalami kerusakan akibat paparan senyawa nefrotoksik seperti etilen glikol. Jahe merah (Zingiber officinale var. rubrum) diketahui mengandung senyawa bioaktif dengan potensi antioksidan dan antiinflamasi yang dapat melindungi ginjal dari kerusakan. Namun, efektivitasnya sebagai agen nefroprotektif perlu dibuktikan secara ilmiah. Tujuan: Mengevaluasi efek nefroprotektif ekstrak etanol jahe merah terhadap kerusakan ginjal yang diinduksi etilen glikol pada tikus putih jantan (Rattus norvegicus) strain Wistar. Metode: Penelitian eksperimental menggunakan post-test only control group design untuk meminimasi bias dengan memastikan kondisi awal kelompok setara. Sebanyak 25 tikus dibagi menjadi lima kelompok: kontrol normal (aquades), kontrol negatif (etilen glikol 0,75%), dan tiga kelompok perlakuan (etilen glikol + ekstrak jahe merah dengan dosis 100, 200, dan 300 mg/kgBB/hari). Parameter yang diukur meliputi kadar kreatinin serum dan gambaran histopatologi ginjal. Data dianalisis menggunakan uji ANOVA satu arah (p < 0,05) dan uji post hoc LSD. Hasil: Ekstrak jahe merah menurunkan kadar kreatinin serum secara signifikan (p < 0,05), dengan penurunan tertinggi pada dosis 300 mg/kgBB (0,528 ± 0,082 mg/dL). Perbaikan histopatologi ginjal juga terlihat berupa penurunan nekrosis, degenerasi sel, dan infiltrasi sel inflamasi. Skor kerusakan ginjal pada kelompok perlakuan (skor 1) lebih rendah dibandingkan kontrol negatif (skor 2). Kesimpulan: Ekstrak etanol jahe merah memiliki efek nefroprotektif terhadap kerusakan ginjal akibat etilen glikol, dengan dosis optimal 300 mg/kgBB/hari. Temuan ini mendukung potensi jahe merah sebagai terapi alternatif untuk gangguan ginjal, meskipun diperlukan penelitian lebih lanjut untuk mekanisme molekuler dan uji klinis.