Mabuza-Mashaba, Lindokuhle Patience.Khathi, Andile.Langa, Bonakele.2026-05-282026-05-2820252025https://hdl.handle.net/10413/24410Masters Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal Durban.Prediabetes, characterized by intermediate hyperglycemia, is frequently accompanied by chronic inflammation, disrupted haematological profiles, and an elevated risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease. This study examines the effects of Zingiber officinale (ginger) extract on inflammation, innate immune system, haematological parameters and cardiovascular complications in diet-induced prediabetic rats. Thirty-six (36) male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into six groups (n=6 per group) and were induced with prediabetes using high carbohydrate for a period of 20 weeks. After induction, the groups were treated as follows for a period of 12 weeks: a prediabetic (PD) control; a dietary intervention (DI) control; Zingiber officinale treatment groups in the presence (ZO+DI) and absence [ZO+HFHC] of DI; as well as metformin in the presence (MT+DI) and absence (MT+HFHC) of DI. An additional six animals were kept on a standard diet and served as a non-prediabetic control (NPD). At the end of the treatment period, parameters measured included homeostatic model assessment index (HOMA-IR), body weight, anti-inflammatory cytokine (adiponectin), pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF α, IL-6 and CRP), neutrophils cell count, MDA levels, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NFE2L2). As well as fasting blood glucose (FBG), oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), triglycerides (TG), heart-to-body weight ratio, RBC and platelet indices, as well as mTOR and erythropoietin (EPO) expression. Treatment with Zingiber officinale significantly improved glucose tolerance and decreased HbA1c and triglyceride levels. It normalized RBC and platelet counts, aligning with previous findings where ginger ameliorated haematological disturbances in diabetic rats. Expression of mTOR and EPO was modulated, suggesting reduced inflammation and attenuated cardiovascular risk. Zingiber officinale also demonstrated cardioprotective benefits, echoing earlier studies showing structural recovery and improvement in cardiac biomarkers in prediabetic rat models. Zingiber officinale extract enhances glycaemic control, restores normal haematological function, and mitigates early cardiovascular complications in diet-induced prediabetic rats. These findings support its potential as a nutraceutical therapeutic to prevent progression from prediabetes to T2DM and related cardiovascular conditions.enprediabetes.Inflamation.haematological factors.Zingiber officinale (ginger) extract.innate immune system.Thesis