Inhibition of gastric H(+),K(+)/​ATPase and Helicobacter pylori growth by
phenolic antioxidants of Zingiber officinale.

Siddaraju MN, Dharmesh SM.

Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Central Food Technological Research
Institute, Mysore, Karnataka, India. Fax: +91/​0821/​2517233.

Ulcer is a common global problem characterized by acute gastric irritability,
bleeding, etc. due to either increased gastric cell proton potassium ATPase
activity (PPA) or perturbation of mucosal defence. Helicobacter pylori has been
identified as a major ulcerogen in addition to oxidative stress and nonsteroidal
anti/​inflammatory drugs. In this paper, we report ginger/​free phenolic (GRFP)
and ginger hydrolysed phenolic (GRHP) fractions of ginger (Zingiber officinale)
as potent inhibitors of PPA and H. pylori growth. GRFP and GRHP inhibited PPA at
an IC(50) of 2.9 +//​ 0.18 and 1.5 +//​ 0.12 mug/mL, exhibiting six/​ to eight/​fold
better potency over lansoprazole. GRFP is constituted by syringic (38%), gallic
(18%) and cinnamic (14%) acids and GRHP by cinnamic (48%), p/​coumaric (34%) and
caffeic (6%) acids as major phenolic acids. GRFP and GRHP further exhibited free
radical scavenging (IC(50) 1.7 +//​ 0.07 and 2.5 +//​ 0.16), inhibition of lipid
peroxidation (IC(50) 3.6 +//​ 0.21 and 5.2 +//​ 0.46), DNA protection (80% at 4
mug) and reducing power abilities (80/​338 U/g) indicating strong antioxidative
properties. GRFP and GRHP may thus be potential in/​expensive multistep blockers
against ulcer.

PMID: 17295419 [PubMed /​ as supplied by publisher]

2: Rapid Commun Mass Spectrom. 2007;21(4):509/​18.

Characterization and identification of diarylheptanoids in ginger (Zingiber
officinale Rosc.) using high/​performance liquid chromatography/electrospray
ionization mass spectrometry.

Jiang H, Timmermann BN, Gang DR.

Department of Plant Sciences, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences,
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.

In our continuing investigation of diarylheptanoids in Zingiberaceae plants
using liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
(LC/ESI/​MS/MS), 26 diarylheptanoids were identified from fresh ginger rhizome.
Of the 26 compounds, 15 diarylheptanoids appear to be new compounds. In
addition, the majority of these compounds (18) were acetylated, which is
different from our investigation of diarylheptanoids from turmeric, another
member of the Zingiberaceae, which did not possess any acetylated
diarylheptanoids. In all, five distinct groups (homologous series) of
diarylheptanoids were found in extracts from ginger rhizome. These groups were
differentiated by structural differences on the heptane skeletons, whereas
homologs within each group differed by substitution patterns on the aromatic
rings. Diagnostic fragmentation behavior in (+)/​ and (/​)ESI/​MS/MS analyses for
each group of homologs, as well as information regarding polarity obtained from
retention time data, allowed us to classify compounds by group and identify them
based on key structural features. Copyright (c) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID: 17238228 [PubMed /​ in process]

3: Food Chem Toxicol. 2006 Nov 29; [Epub ahead of print]

Zingiber officinale Roscoe alone and in combination with alpha/​tocopherol
protect the kidney against cisplatin/​induced acute renal failure.

Ajith TA, Nivitha V, Usha S.

Department of Biochemistry, Amala Institute of Medical Sciences, Amala Nagar,
Thrissur, Kerala 680 555, India.

Oxidative stress due to abnormal production of reactive oxygen molecules (ROM)
is believed to be involved in the etiology of toxicities of many xenobiotics.
Evidences suggested that ROM is involved in the nephrotoxicity of a widely used
synthetic anticancer drug cisplatin. The nephroprotective effects of ethanol
extract of Zingiber officinale alone and in combination with vitamin E
(alpha/​tocopherol) were evaluated using cisplatin (single dose of 10mg/kg body
wt, i.p) induced acute renal damage in mice. The results of the study indicated
that Z. officinale significantly and dose dependently protected the
nephrotoxicity induced by cisplatin. The serum urea and creatinine levels in the
cisplatin alone treated group were significantly elevated (P<0.01) with respect
to normal group of animals. The levels were reduced in the Z. officinale (250
and 500mg/kg, p.o) plus cisplatin, vitamin E (250mg/kg) plus cisplatin, and Z.
officinale (250mg/kg) with vitamin E plus vitamin E treated groups. The renal
antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT),
glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities and level of reduced glutathione (GSH)
were declined; level of malondialdehyde (MDA) was elevated in the cisplatin
alone treated group. The activities of SOD, CAT GPx and level of GSH were
elevated and level of MDA declined significantly (P<0.05) in the Z. officinale
(250 and 500mg/kg) plus cisplatin and Z. officinale (250mg/kg) with vitamin E
plus cisplatin treated groups. The protective effect of Z. officinale (250mg/kg
body wt) was found to be better than that of vitamin E (250mg/kg body wt). The
results also demonstrated that combination of Z. officinale (250mg/kg) with
vitamin E (250mg/kg) showed a better protection compared to their 250mg/kg alone
treated groups. This study concluded that ethanol extract of Z. officinale alone
and in combination with vitamin E partially ameliorated cisplatin/​induced
nephrotoxicity. This protection is mediated either by preventing the
cisplatin/​induced decline of renal antioxidant defense system or by their direct
free radical scavenging activity.

PMID: 17210214 [PubMed /​ as supplied by publisher]

4: Indian J Exp Biol. 2006 Nov;44(11):892/​7.

Ethanolic Zingiber officinale R. extract pretreatment alleviates
isoproterenol/​induced oxidative myocardial necrosis in rats.

Ansari MN, Bhandari U, Pillai KK.

Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110
062, India.

Ethanolic Z. officinale (ZO) extract (200 mg/kg) pretreatment for 20 days in
isoproterenol (ISO)/​treated rats significantly increased the levels of
endogenous myocardial antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase and tissue
glutathione), decreased the levels of serum marker enzymes (lactate
dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase)
and increased myocardial lipid peroxides. Histological examination of rat's
heart section confirmed myocardial injury with ISO administration and near
normal pattern with ethanolic ZO extract pretreatment. The results of the
present study, for the first time, provide clear evidence that the ethanolic ZO
extract pretreatment enhances the antioxidant defense against ISO/​induced
oxidative myocardial injury in rats and exhibit cardioprotective property.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 17205709 [PubMed /​ in process]

5: J Am Diet Assoc. 2006 Dec;106(12):2045/​51.

Availability of weight/​loss supplements: Results of an audit of retail outlets
in a southeastern city.

Sharpe PA, Granner ML, Conway JM, Ainsworth BE, Dobre M.

Prevention Research Center, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South
Carolina, 921 Assembly St, Columbia, SC 29208, USA. pasharpe@sc.edu

The sale of nonprescription weight/​loss products accounts for millions of
dollars spent by Americans trying to lose weight, yet there is little evidence
for effectiveness and there are multiple safety concerns. The purpose of this
study was to determine what products, and ingredients within products, were
available at retail outlets in a metropolitan area. A purposive sampling
strategy identified 73 retail outlets. An audit form was used to collect
information from product labels. The audit identified 402 products containing
4,053 separate ingredients. The mean number of ingredients per product was
9.9+//​8.96 (range = 1 to 96). A database search was conducted regarding evidence
for effectiveness, safety precautions, and side effects for the 10 ingredients
that appeared most often across products. Modest evidence of effectiveness
exists for green tea (Camellia sinensis), chromium picolinate, and ma huang
(Ephedra major). For the remaining seven (ginger root [Zingiber officinale],
guarana [Paullinia cupana], hydroxycitric acid [Garcinia cambogia], white willow
[Salix alba], Siberian ginseng [Eleutherococcus senticosus], cayenne [Capsicum
annuum], and bitter orange/zhi shi [Citrus aurantium]), inadequate or negative
evidence exists. Although precautions and contraindications were found for all
10 ingredients, the strongest concerns in the literature appear for ma huang,
bitter orange, and guarana. Our audit revealed numerous weight/​loss products
available to consumers, yet there is little evidence to support the
effectiveness of the top 10 ingredients identified and many potential adverse
reactions; therefore, food and nutrition professionals should discuss dietary
supplement use with their clients.

Publication Types:
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

PMID: 17126636 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

6: J Sep Sci. 2006 Oct;29(15):2292/​5.

Determination of 6/​gingerol in ginger (Zingiber officinale) using
high/​performance thin/​layer chromatography.

Rai S, Mukherjee K, Mal M, Wahile A, Saha BP, Mukherjee PK.

School of Natural Product Studies, Department of Pharmaceutical Technology,
Jadavpur University, Kolkata, India.

A sensitive and accurate High/​Performance TLC (HPTLC) method has been developed
to determine the quantity of 6/​gingerol in rhizomes of Zingiber officinale
(family: Zingiberaceae), commonly known as ginger. Methanol extracts of rhizomes
from three different sources were used for HPTLC, n/​hexane, and diethyl ether
(40:60 v/v) as the mobile phase. The Rf of 6/​gingerol was found to be 0.40. The
calibration plot was linear in the range of 250/​1200 ng of 6/​gingerol and the
correlation coefficient of 0.9997 was indicative of good linear dependence of
peak area on concentration. The mean quantity of 6/​gingerol was found to be
60.44+//​2.53 mg/g of ginger extract. The method permits reliable quantification
of 6/​gingerol and good resolution and separation of 6/​gingerol from other
constituents of ginger. To study the accuracy and precision of the method,
recovery studies were performed by the method of standard addition. Recovery
values from 99.79 to 99.84% showed the excellent reliability and reproducibility
of the method. The proposed HPTLC method for quantitative monitoring of
6/​gingerol in ginger can be used for routine quality testing of ginger extracts.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 17120812 [PubMed /​ in process]

7: Harefuah. 2006 Oct;145(10):738/​42, 782.

[Herbal medicine in womens' life cycle]

[Article in Hebrew]

Ben/​Arye E, Oren A, Ben/​Arie A.

The Complementary and Traditional Medicine Unit, Department of Family Medicine,
Faculty of Medicine, Technion/​Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
eranben@netvision.net.il

Women use herbs and other traditional and complementary modalities to treat
various ailments throughout their life circle. This article reviewed 19
randomized controlled trials, which studied efficacy and safety of various herbs
in the treatment of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), nausea and vomiting in the
first trimester of pregnancy and menopausal hot flushes. Preliminary data
support the efficacy of Chaste tree fruit (Vitex agnus) in the treatment of PMS,
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) in the treatment of hyperemesis gravidarum and
(Cimicifuga racemosa) in the treatment of menopausal hot flushes. Additional and
more rigorous studies are warranted in order to support the efficacy and safety
of these herbal remedies.

Publication Types:
English Abstract
Review

PMID: 17111709 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

8: Am J Chin Med. 2006;34(5):845/​55.

Ginger significantly decreased the oral bioavailability of cyclosporine in rats.

Chiang HM, Chao PD, Hsiu SL, Wen KC, Tsai SY, Hou YC.

School of Cosmeceutics, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan, 404, ROC.

Ginger (roots of Zingiber officinale ROSCOE) is a popular spice and herbal
medicine worldwide. Cyclosporine is clinically used as an important
immunosupressant with narrow therapeutic index. This study attempted to
investigate the effect of ginger juice on the pharmacokinetics of cyclosporine
in rats. Rats were orally administered cyclosporine alone and in combination
with ginger juice (5 ml/kg) concomitantly, as well as 2 hours after the ginger
juice, respectively, in crossover designs. In addition, rats were intravenously
administered cyclosporine with and without an oral dose of ginger juice (5
ml/kg). The blood samples were withdrawn via cardiopuncture at determined time
points and cyclosporine concentrations were determined by a specific monoclonal
fluorescence polarization immunoassay. The pharmacokinetic parameters of
cyclosporine were calculated using a non/​compartment model of WINNONLIN. The
results indicated that concomitant intake of ginger significantly decreased
C(max) and AUC(0/​t) of oral cyclosporine by 70.9% and 63.1%, respectively. The
intake of ginger 2 hours before cyclosporine significantly decreased C(max) and
AUC(0/​t) by 51.4% and 40.3%, respectively. In contrast, the pharmacokinetics of
intravenous cyclosporine not altered by orally in combination with ginger juice.
In conclusion, ginger significantly decreased the oral bioavailability of
cyclosporine, and the interaction should occur at the absorption phase. Patients
treated with cyclosporine should be discouraged from using ginger products to
ensure the efficacy of cyclosporine.

PMID: 17080549 [PubMed /​ in process]

9: Zhong Yao Cai. 2006 Aug;29(8):810/​3.

[Protective effect of effective parts of Zingiber Offecinal on vascular
endothelium of the experimental hyperlipidemic rats]

[Article in Chinese]

Wu CX, Wei XB, Ding H, Sun X, Cheng XM.

Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine Shandong University, Jinan
250012, China. wcxzzl@eyou.com

OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of effective parts of Zingiber Officinale on
serum IL/​6, TNF/​alpha in oroler to investigate the protective effects of the
effective parts of Zingiber Officinal (EPZ) on endothelium of the experimental
hyperlipidemic rats and the mechanism of its effects. METHODS: The
hyperlipidemia model of rats was constructed by feeding high/​fat forage and
filled with the effective parts of Zingiber Officinale 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, 800
mg/kg every day for 13 weeks. Blood was drawn to determine both the level of
serum IL/​6 and TNF/​alpha. All the aortaes were taken to oberserve morphologic
change and the intima/​media thickness were detected. RESULTS: The effective
parts of Zingiber Officinale could markedly decrease intima/​media thickness, but
had no marked influence in the level of serum IL/​6 and TNF/​alpha. CONCLUSION:
The Effect Parts of Zingiber Officinale has the effect of protection of the
endothelia of hyperlipidemia rats, which has nothing with the level of serum
IL/​6 and TNF/​alpha.

Publication Types:
English Abstract

PMID: 17076241 [PubMed /​ in process]

10: Anal Bioanal Chem. 2006 Nov;386(6):1863/​8. Epub 2006 Sep 19.

Rapid analysis of the essential oils from dried Illicium verum Hook. f. and
Zingiber officinale Rosc. by improved solvent/​free microwave extraction with
three types of microwave/​absorption medium.

Wang Z, Wang L, Li T, Zhou X, Ding L, Yu Y, Yu A, Zhang H.

College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012, People's Republic of
China.

A new method of extracting essential oils from dried plant materials has been
studied. By adding a microwave/​absorption medium (MAM) to a reactor,
solvent/​free microwave extraction (SFME) was improved and can be used to extract
essential oils from dried plant material without pretreatment. With a microwave
irradiation power of 85 W it took only approximately 30 min to extract the
essential oils completely. The whole extraction process is simple, rapid, and
economical. Three types of MAM, iron carbonyl powder (ICP), graphite powder
(GP), and activated carbon powder (ACP), and two types of dried plant material,
Illicium verum Hook. f. and Zingiber officinale Rosc., were studied. The results
were compared with those obtained by use of conventional SFME,
microwave/​assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD), and conventional hydrodistillation
(HD), and the conclusion drawn was that improved SFME was a feasible means of
extracting essential oils from dried plant materials, because there were few
differences between the composition of the essential oils extracted by improved
SFME and by the other methods.

PMID: 17047940 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

11: J Clin Rheumatol. 2004 Oct;10(5):236/​245.

A 32/​Week Randomized, Placebo/​Controlled Clinical Evaluation of RA/​11, an
Ayurvedic Drug, on Osteoarthritis of the Knees.

Chopra A, Lavin P, Patwardhan B, Chitre D.

From the *Center for Rheumatic Diseases, Inlaks and Budhrani Hospital, Bharati
Hospital Medical College (Deemed University), Pune, India; daggerAverion, Inc.,
Framingham, Massachusetts; the double daggerSchool of Health Sciences,
University of Pune, India; and section signBIO/​VED Pharmaceuticals, Inc., San
Jose, California.

BACKGROUND:: The ancient Indian (Asian) Ayurvedic medicinal system uses
herbomineral drugs to treat arthritis. Despite centuries of use, very few have
been tested by drug trials. RA/​11 (ARTREX, MENDAR), a standardized multiplant
Ayurvedic drug (Withania somnifera, Boswellia serrata, Zingiber officinale, and
Curcuma longa) is currently used to treat arthritis. OBJECTIVE:: The objective
of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of RA/​11 in patients with
symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) of the knees. METHODS:: A total of 358 patients
with chronic knee pain were screened free/​of/​cost in "arthritis camps" in an
Indian metropolis. Ninety patients with primary OA of the knees (ACR
classification; Arthritis Rheum 1986;29:1039/​1049) were found eligible
(postanalgesic washout pain visual analog score [VAS] >/=40 mm in either or both
knees on body weight/​bearing activities) to enroll into a randomized,
double/​blind, placebo/​controlled, parallel efficacy, single/​center, 32/​week drug
trial (80% power to detect 25% difference, P = 0.05, 2/​sided). Concurrent
analgesics/nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and steroids in any form were not
allowed. Lifestyle and/or dietary restrictions, as per routine Ayurveda
practices, were not imposed. Pain VAS (maximum pain in each knee recorded by the
patient during the preceding 48 hours) and modified WOMAC (Western Ontario
McMaster University OA Index, Likert scale, version 3.0) were the primary
efficacy variables. The WOMAC section on "physical function difficulty" was
modified for Indian use and validated before the trial. Routine laboratory
testing was primarily done to monitor drug safety. At baseline, the groups
(active = 45, placebo = 45) were well matched for several measures (mean pain
VAS: active = 6.17; placebo = 6.5). RESULTS:: 1) Efficacy: Compared with
placebo, the mean reduction in pain VAS at week 16 (active = 2.7, placebo = 1.3)
and week 32 (active = 2.8, placebo = 1.8) in the active group was significantly
(P <0.05, analysis of variance [ANOVA]) better. Similarly, the improvement in
the WOMAC scores at week 16 and week 32 were also significantly superior (P
<0.01, ANOVA) in the active group. 2) Safety: Both the groups reported mild
adverse events (AE) without any significant difference. 3) Withdrawals:
Twenty/​eight patients were discontinued. None reported drug/​related toxicity.
The majority failed follow up/compliance. No differences were observed between
the groups. CONCLUSION:: This controlled drug trial demonstrates the potential
efficacy and safety of RA/​ 11 in the symptomatic treatment of OA knees over 32
weeks of therapy.

PMID: 17043520 [PubMed /​ as supplied by publisher]

12: Br J Nutr. 2006 Oct;96(4):660/​6.

Anti/​diabetic and hypolipidaemic properties of ginger (Zingiber officinale) in
streptozotocin/​induced diabetic rats.

Al/​Amin ZM, Thomson M, Al/​Qattan KK, Peltonen/​Shalaby R, Ali M.

Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kuwait University,
13060/​Safat, Kuwait.

In the present study, the hypoglycaemic potentials of ginger (Zingiber
officinale) were studied in rats. An aqueous extract of raw ginger was
administered daily (500 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) for a period of 7 weeks to
streptozotocin (STZ)/​induced diabetic rats. Fasting blood serum was analysed for
blood glucose, cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels. The STZ/​injected rats
exhibited hyperglycaemia accompanied with weight loss, indicating their diabetic
condition. At a dose of 500 mg/kg, raw ginger was significantly effective in
lowering serum glucose, cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels in the
ginger/​treated diabetic rats compared with the control diabetic rats. The ginger
treatment also resulted in a significant reduction in urine protein levels. In
addition, the ginger/​treated diabetic rats sustained their initial weights
during the treatment period. Moreover, ginger decreased both water intake and
urine output in the STZ/​induced diabetic rats. The present results indicate that
raw ginger possesses hypoglycaemic, hypocholesterolaemic and hypolipidaemic
potential. Additionally, raw ginger is effective in reversing the diabetic
proteinuria observed in the diabetic rats. Thus, ginger may be of great value in
managing the effects of diabetic complications in human subjects.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 17010224 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

13: J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Feb 12;109(3):535/​8. Epub 2006 Aug 15.

Anti/​allergic activity of some selected plants in the Zingiberaceae family.

Tewtrakul S, Subhadhirasakul S.

Department of Pharmacognosy and Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Prince of Songkla University, Hat/​Yai, Songkhla 90112, Thailand.

Ethanolic and water extracts, together with volatile oils from the rhizomes of
six selected Zingiberaceous plants, including Curcuma mangga, Kaempferia
galanga, Kaempferia parviflora, Zingiber cassumunar, Zingiber officinale and
Zingiber zerumbet were investigated for their anti/​allergic activities using a
RBL/​2H3 cell line. The ethanolic (EtOH) extract of Kaempferia parviflora
exhibited the most potent anti/​allergic effect against antigen/​induced
beta/​hexosaminidase release as a marker of degranulation in RBL/​2H3 cells, with
an IC(50) value of 10.9mug/ml, followed by Zingiber cassumunar (EtOH,
IC(50)=12.9mug/ml) and Curcuma mangga (water, IC(50)=36.1mug/ml). The volatile
oils of these six plants were apparently inactive (IC(50)>100mug/ml). The crude
extracts were also tested on beta/​hexosaminidase activity to clarify whether
their effects were due to the inhibition of enzyme activity or of degranulation.
As a result, the plant extracts were inactive against the enzyme activity of
beta/​hexosaminidase. These findings support the use in Thai traditional medicine
of these selected Zingiberaceous plants, especially Kaempferia parviflora and
Zingiber cassumunar, for treatment of allergy and allergic/​related diseases.

PMID: 16978816 [PubMed /​ in process]

14: Pharmazie. 2006 Aug;61(8):717/​21.

Inhibition of viral proteases by Zingiberaceae extracts and flavones isolated
from Kaempferia parviflora.

Sookkongwaree K, Geitmann M, Roengsumran S, Petsom A, Danielson UH.

Research Centre for Bioorganic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of
Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.

In order to identify novel lead compounds with antiviral effect, methanol and
aqueous extracts of eight medicinal plants in the Zingiberaceae family were
screened for inhibition of proteases from human immunodeficiency virus type 1
(HIV/​1), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). In general,
the methanol extracts inhibited the enzymes more effectively than the aqueous
extracts. HIV/​1 protease was strongly inhibited by the methanol extract of
Alpinia galanga. This extract also inhibited HCV and HCMV proteases, but to a
lower degree. HCV protease was most efficiently inhibited by the extracts from
Zingiber officinale, with little difference between the aqueous and the methanol
extracts. Many of the methanol extracts inhibited HCMV protease, but the aqueous
extracts showed weak inhibition. In a first endeavor to identify the active
constituents, eight flavones were isolated from the black rhizomes of Kaempferia
parviflora. The most effective inhibitors, 5/​hydroxy/​7/​methoxyflavone and
5,7/​dimethoxyflavone, inhibited HIV/​1 protease with IC50 values of 19 microM.
Moreover, 5/​hydroxy/​3,7/​dimethoxyflavone inhibited HCV protease and HCMV
protease with IC50 values of 190 and 250 microM, respectively.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16964717 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

15: Phytochemistry. 2006 Oct;67(20):2239/​55. Epub 2006 Sep 11.

Metabolic profiling of in vitro micropropagated and conventionally greenhouse
grown ginger (Zingiber officinale).

Ma X, Gang DR.

Department of Plant Sciences and BIO5 Institute, The University of Arizona, 303
Forbes Building, Tucson, 85721/​0036, USA.

Ginger is an important medicinal and culinary herb, known worldwide for its
health promoting properties. Because ginger does not reproduce by seed, but is
clonally propagated via rhizome division and replanting, it is susceptible to
accumulation and transmittance of pathogens from generation to generation. In
addition, such propagation techniques lead to slow multiplication of
particularly useful stocks. We have developed an in vitro propagation method to
alleviate these problems. Metabolic profiling, using GC/MS and LC/​ESI/​MS, was
used to determine if chemical differences existed between greenhouse grown or in
vitro micropropagation derived plants. Three different ginger lines were
analyzed. The constituent gingerols and gingerol/​related compounds, other
diarylheptanoids, and methyl ether derivatives of these compounds, as well as
major mono/​ and sesquiterpenoids were identified. Principal component analysis
and hierarchical cluster analysis revealed chemical differences between lines
(yellow ginger vs. white ginger and blue ring ginger) and tissues (rhizome,
root, leaf and shoot). However, this analysis indicated that no significant
differences existed between growth treatments (conventional greenhouse grown vs.
in vitro propagation derived plants). Further statistical analyses (ANOVA)
confirmed these results. These findings suggest that the biochemical mechanisms
used to produce the large array of compounds found in ginger are not affected by
in vitro propagation.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study
Evaluation Studies
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16963091 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

16: Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2006 Jun;101(4):387/​90.

Synergism between plant extract and antimicrobial drugs used on Staphylococcus
aureus diseases.

Betoni JE, Mantovani RP, Barbosa LN, Di Stasi LC, Fernandes Junior A.

Departamento de Farmacologia, Instituto de Biociencias, Universidade Estadual
Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho, Botucatu, SP, 18618/​000, Brasil.

Searches for substances with antimicrobial activity are frequent, and medicinal
plants have been considered interesting by some researchers since they are
frequently used in popular medicine as remedies for many infectious diseases.
The aim of this study was to verify the synergism between 13 antimicrobial drugs
and 8 plant extracts/​/​"guaco" (Mikania glomerata), guava (Psidium guajava),
clove (Syzygium aromaticum), garlic (Allium sativum), lemongrass (Cymbopogon
citratus), ginger (Zingiber officinale), "carqueja" (Baccharis trimera), and
mint (Mentha piperita)/​/​against Staphylococcus aureus strains, and for this
purpose, the disk method was the antimicrobial susceptibility test performed.
Petri dishes were prepared with or without dilution of plant extracts at
sub/​inhibitory concentrations in Mueller/​Hinton Agar (MHA), and the inhibitory
zones were recorded in millimeters. In vitro anti/​Staphylococcus aureus
activities of the extracts were confirmed, and synergism was verified for all
the extracts; clove, guava, and lemongrass presented the highest synergism rate
with antimicrobial drugs, while ginger and garlic showed limited synergistic
capacity.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16951808 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

17: Phytother Res. 2006 Nov;20(11):997/​1002.

Protective effects of Zingiber officinale (Zingiberaceae) against carbon
tetrachloride and acetaminophen/​induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

Yemitan OK, Izegbu MC.

Department of Pharmacology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, P.M.B.
21266, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. kayodeyemitan@yahoo.com

The effect of the ethanol extract of the rhizome of Zingiber officinale was
tested against carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) and acetaminophen/​induced liver
toxicities in rats. Increases in serum and liver marker enzymes such as alanine
aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline
phosphatase as well as sorbitol and glutamate dehydrogenases were produced in
normal rats that were not pretreated with the extract. However,
extract/​pretreated rats attenuated in a dose/​dependent manner, CCl(4) and
acetaminophen/​induced increases in the activities of ALT, AST, ALP, LDH and SDH
in the blood serum. The protective effect of the extract on CCl(4) and
acetaminophen/​induced damage was confirmed by histopathological examination of
the liver. These results indicate that the oil from the rhizome of Zingiber
officinale could be useful in preventing chemically induced acute liver injury.
Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study

PMID: 16941609 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

18: J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Sep 6;54(18):6640/​4.

Inhibitory effects of Zingiber officinale Roscoe derived components on aldose
reductase activity in vitro and in vivo.

Kato A, Higuchi Y, Goto H, Kizu H, Okamoto T, Asano N, Hollinshead J, Nash RJ,
Adachi I.

Department of Hospital Pharmacy, University of Toyama, Toyama 930/​0194, Japan.
kato@med.u/​toyama.ac.jp

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) continues to be used as an important cooking
spice and herbal medicine around the world. Scientific research has gradually
verified the antidiabetic effects of ginger. Especially gingerols, which are the
major components of ginger, are known to improve diabetes including the effect
of enhancement against insulin/​sensitivity. Aldose reductase inhibitors have
considerable potential for the treatment of diabetes, without increased risk of
hypoglycemia. The assay for aldose reductase inhibitors in ginger led to the
isolation of five active compounds including
2/​(4/​hydroxy/​3/​methoxyphenyl)ethanol (2) and
2/​(4/​hydroxy/​3/​methoxyphenyl)ethanoic acid (3). Compounds 2 and 3 were good
inhibitors of recombinant human aldose reductase, with IC50 values of 19.2 +//​
1.9 and 18.5 +//​ 1.1 microM, respectively. Furthermore, these compounds
significantly suppressed not only sorbitol accumulation in human erythrocytes
but also lens galactitol accumulation in 30% of galactose/​fed cataract rat
model. A structure/​activity relationship study revealed that the applicable side
alkyl chain length and the presence of a C3 OCH3 group in the aromatic ring are
essential features for enzyme recognition and binding. These results suggested
that it would contribute to the protection against or improvement of diabetic
complications for a dietary supplement of ginger or its extract containing
aldose reductase inhibitors.

PMID: 16939321 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

19: Eur J Neurosci. 2006 Aug;24(4):1042/​52.

6/​Shogaol, a natural product, reduces cell death and restores motor function in
rat spinal cord injury.

Kyung KS, Gon JH, Geun KY, Sup JJ, Suk WJ, Ho KJ.

Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Pusan National University, 1/​10
Ami/​Dong, Seo/​Gu, Busan, South Korea. skkang@pusan.ac.kr

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in progressive waves of secondary injuries,
which via the activation of a barrage of noxious pathological mechanisms
exacerbate the injury to the spinal cord. Secondary injuries are associated with
edema, inflammation, excitotoxicity, excessive cytokine release, caspase
activation and cell apoptosis. This study was aimed at investigating the
possible neuroprotective effects of 6/​shogaol purified from Zingiber officinale
by comparing an experimental SCI rat group with SCI control rats. Shogaol
attenuated apoptotic cell death, including poly(ADP/​ribose) polymerase activity,
and reduced astrogliosis and hypomyelination which occurs in areas of active
cell death in the spinal cords of SCI rats. The foremost protective effect of
shogaol in SCI would therefore be manifested in the suppression of the acute
secondary apoptotic cell death. However, it does not attenuate active microglia
and macrophage infiltration. This finding is supported by a lack of
histopathological changes in the areas of the lesion in the shogaol/​treated SCI
rats. Moreover, shogaol/​mediated neuroprotection has been linked with shogaol's
attenuation of p38 mitogen/​activated protein kinase, p/​SAPK/JNK and signal
transducer, and with transcription/​3 activation. Our results demonstrate that
shogaol administrated immediately after SCI significantly diminishes functional
deficits. The shogaol/​treated group recovered hindlimb reflexes more rapidly and
a higher percentage of these rats regained responses compared with the untreated
injured rats. The overall hindlimb functional improvement of hindlimbs, as
measured by the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan scale, was significantly enhanced
in the shogaol/​treated group relative to the SCI control rats. Our data show
that the therapeutic outcome of shogaol probably results from its comprehensive
effects of blocking apoptotic cell death, resulting in the protection of white
matter, oligodendrocytes and neurons, and inhibiting astrogliosis. Our finding
that the administration of shogaol prevents secondary pathological events in
traumatic SCIs and promotes recovery of motor functions in an animal model
raises the issue of whether shogaol could be used therapeutically in humans
after SCI.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16930431 [PubMed /​ in process]

20: Protein Expr Purif. 2007 Jan;51(1):71/​9. Epub 2006 Jul 12.

Improved conditions for production of recombinant plant sesquiterpene synthases
in Escherichia coli.

Picaud S, Olsson ME, Brodelius PE.

Department of Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences, University of Kalmar, SE/​39182
Kalmar, Sweden.

Amorpha/​4,11/​diene synthase (ADS) from Artemisia annua and (+)/​germacrene
synthase (GDS) from Zingiber officinale were expressed in Escherichia coli under
different conditions to optimize the yield of active soluble protein. The cDNAs
of these enzymes were inserted into the pET28 vector (Novagen) and expressed in
four different bacterial strains; BL21 (DE3), BL21 (DE3) Tuner, BL21 (DE3) pLysS
and BL21 (DE3) pLysS Tuner using different inducing agents (IPTG, The Inducer).
The effects of induction under osmotic stress in the presence of glycine betaine
and sorbitol were investigated. Although background expression for ADS was
reduced when using pLysS strains, no significant difference was noted for ADS
activity in soluble whole cell lysates after induction with either IPTG or The
Inducer. For GDS, on the other hand, the change between BL21 (DE3) cells and
BL21 (DE3) Tuner, induced with IPTG, leads to a twofold increase in enzyme
activity in the soluble fraction while a reduction in activity is observed when
using the pLysS strains. The same doubling of activity is observed for GDS when
the commonly used BL.21 (DE3) is induced with The Inducer. Addition of 2.5 mM
glycine betaine and 660 mM sorbitol to the bacterial growth media resulted in
reduction of growth rate and biomass yield but under these conditions the best
overall protein production, for both enzymes, was obtained. Compared to the
standard conditions previously used in our laboratory the yield of soluble
active protein was increased 7/​ and 2.5/​fold for ADS and GDS, using BL21 (DE3)
pLysS Tuner and BL21 (DE3), respectively.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16908191 [PubMed /​ in process]

21: Phytother Res. 2006 Nov;20(11):1017/​9.

Evaluation of oriental medicinal herbs for estrogenic and antiproliferative
activities.

Kang SC, Lee CM, Choi H, Lee JH, Oh JS, Kwak JH, Zee OP.

College of Pharmacy, SungKyunKwan University, Suwon, Gyonggi/​Do, South Korea.

Herb extracts commercially used in Asia were screened for their estrogenic
activity with a recombinant yeast system with both a human estrogen receptor
(ER) expression plasmid and a reporter plasmid. Pueraria lobata (flower) had the
highest estrogenic relative potency (RP, 17/​estradiol = 1.00) (7.8e/​3) (RP for +
control), followed by Amomum xanthioides (1.3e/​3), Glycyrrhiza uralensis,
Zingiber officinale, Rheum palmatum, Curcuma aromatica, Eriobotrya japonica,
Sophora flavescens, Anemarrhena asphodeloides, Polygonum multiflorum and
Pueraria lobata (root) (9.5e/​4/​1.0e/​4), and Prunus persica, Lycoppus lucidus and
Adenophora stricta (9.0e/​5/​8.0e/​5). In the antiproliferative assay, five human
cancer cell lines representing different tissues (breast, lung and ovary) were
used. Eriobotrya japonica showed strong cytotoxicity in ER/​negative breast
cancer (MDA/​MB/​231), cervix epitheloid (HeLa) and lung (A549) carcinoma cell
lines. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16906642 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

22: Phytochemistry. 2006 Sep;67(18):2017/​29. Epub 2006 Aug 7.

Biosynthesis of curcuminoids and gingerols in turmeric (Curcuma longa) and
ginger (Zingiber officinale): identification of curcuminoid synthase and
hydroxycinnamoyl/​CoA thioesterases.

Ramirez/​Ahumada Mdel C, Timmermann BN, Gang DR.

Arizona Center for Phytomedicine Research and Department of Pharmacology and
Toxicology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721/​0036, USA.

Members of the Zingiberaceae such as turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) and ginger
(Zingiber officinale Rosc.) accumulate at high levels in their rhizomes
important pharmacologically active metabolites that appear to be derived from
the phenylpropanoid pathway. In ginger, these compounds are the gingerols; in
turmeric these are the curcuminoids. Despite their importance, little is known
about the biosynthesis of these compounds. This investigation describes the
identification of enzymes in the biosynthetic pathway leading to the production
of these bioactive natural products. Assays for enzymes in the phenylpropanoid
pathway identified the corresponding enzyme activities in protein crude extracts
from leaf, shoot and rhizome tissues from ginger and turmeric. These enzymes
included phenylalanine ammonia lyase, polyketide synthases, p/​coumaroyl
shikimate transferase, p/​coumaroyl quinate transferase, caffeic acid
O/​methyltransferase, and caffeoyl/​CoA O/​methyltransferase, which were evaluated
because of their potential roles in controlling production of certain classes of
gingerols and curcuminoids. All crude extracts possessed activity for all of
these enzymes, with the exception of polyketide synthases. The results of
polyketide synthase assays showed detectable curcuminoid synthase activity in
the extracts from turmeric with the highest activity found in extracts from
leaves. However, no gingerol synthase activity could be identified. This result
was explained by the identification of thioesterase activities that cleaved
phenylpropanoid pathway CoA esters, and which were found to be present at high
levels in all tissues, especially in ginger tissues. These activities may shunt
phenylpropanoid pathway intermediates away from the production of curcuminoids
and gingerols, thereby potentially playing a regulatory role in the biosynthesis
of these compounds.

Publication Types:
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non/​P.H.S.

PMID: 16890967 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

23: Environ Mol Mutagen. 2006 Oct;47(8):624/​30.

Effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) on DNA damage and development of
urothelial tumors in a mouse bladder carcinogenesis model.

Bidinotto LT, Spinardi/​Barbisan AL, Rocha NS, Salvadori DM, Barbisan LF.

Department of Morphology, UNESP Sao Paulo State University, Institute of
Biosciences, Botucatu, Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Extracts of the spice ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) are rich in gingerols
and shogaols, which exhibit antioxidant, anti/​inflammatory, antifungal,
antimycobacterial, and anticarcinogenic proprieties. The present study evaluated
the chemoprotective effects of a ginger extract on the DNA damage and the
development of bladder cancer induced by N/​butyl/​N/​(4/​hydroxibutyl) nitrosamine
(BBN)/N/​methyl/​N/​nitrosourea (MNU) in male Swiss mice. Groups G1/​G3 were given
0.05% BBN in drinking water for 18 weeks and four i.p. injections of 30 mg/kg
body weight MNU at 1, 3, 10, and 18 weeks. Group G4 and G5 received only the BBN
or MNU treatments, respectively, and groups G6 and G7 were not treated with BBN
or MNU. Additionally, Groups G2, G3, and G6 were fed diets containing 1, 2, and
2% ginger extract, respectively, while Groups G1, G4, G5, and G7 were fed basal
diet. Samples of peripheral blood were collected during the experiment for
genotoxicity analysis; blood collected 4 hr after each MNU dose was used for the
analysis of DNA damage with the Comet assay (assay performed on leukocytes from
all groups), while reticulocytes collected 24 hr after the last MNU treatment of
Groups G5/​G7 were used for the micronucleus assay. At the end of the experiment,
the urinary bladder was removed, fixed, and prepared for histopathological, cell
proliferation, and apoptosis evaluations. Ginger by itself was not genotoxic,
and it did not alter the DNA damage levels induced by the BBN/MNU treatment
during the course of the exposure. The incidence and multiplicity of simple and
nodular hyperplasia and transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) were increased by the
BBN/MNU treatment, but dietary ginger had no significant effect on these
responses. However, in Group G2 (BBN/MNU/2% ginger/​treated group), there was an
increased incidence of Grade 2 TCC. The results suggest that ginger extract does
not inhibit the development of BBN/​induced mouse bladder tumors. (c) 2006
Wiley/​Liss, Inc.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16878317 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

24: Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2006 Feb/​Mar;57(1/​2):65/​73.

Species differences in the prokinetic effects of ginger.

Ghayur MN, Gilani AH.

Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, The Aga Khan University
Medical College, Karachi, Sind, Pakistan.

This study describes the prokinetic actions of the aqueous extract of ginger
(Zingiber officinale). Ginger extract (Zo.Cr), which tested positive for
saponins, terpenes, phenols, flavonoids and alkaloids, showed a spasmogenic
effect in isolated guinea/​pig ileum with 8/​50 times more potency than in rabbit
jejunum and ileum and rat stomach fundus and ileum. Spasmogenicity in all the
gut preparations except in guinea/​pig ileum was atropine/​sensitive. Zo.Cr
exhibited a stimulant effect in vivo in mice and enhanced the intestinal transit
of charcoal meal. A spasmolytic effect, mediated via Ca2 + antagonist activity,
was also exhibited by Zo.Cr, reflected in terms of inhibition of spontaneous
contractions, K+ (80 mM)/​induced contractions and displacement of Ca2 +
dose/​response curves. The ginger pure compounds (6/​shogaol, 6/​gingerol,
8/​gingerol and 10/​gingerol) also exhibited a spasmolytic activity, which reduced
with the increasing size of the side chain in their chemical structures. The
study showed that the aqueous extract of ginger exhibits species/​specific
spasmogenicity in gut tissues of rabbit and rat (muscarinic/​type) while through
an uncharacterized pathway in guinea/​pig ileum, along with a dormant relaxant
effect, mediated via the blockade of voltage/​dependent Ca2 + channels.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16849115 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

25: Arch Biochem Biophys. 2006 Aug 1;452(1):17/​28. Epub 2006 Jun 21.

Cloning, expression, purification and characterization of recombinant
(+)/​germacrene D synthase from Zingiber officinale.

Picaud S, Olsson ME, Brodelius M, Brodelius PE.

Department of Chemistry and Biomedical Sciences, University of Kalmar, SE/​39182
Kalmar, Sweden.

A cDNA clone encoding a sesquiterpene synthase, (+)/​germacrene D synthase, has
been isolated from ginger (Zingiber officinale). The full/​length cDNA (AY860846)
contains a 1650/​bp open reading frame coding for 550 amino acids (63.8kDa) with
a theoretical pI=5.59. The deduced amino acid sequence is 30/​46% identical with
sequences of other sesquiterpene synthases from angiosperms. The recombinant
enzyme, produced in Escherichia coli, catalyzed the formation of a major
product, (+)/​germacrene D (50.2% of total sesquiterpenoids produced) and a
co/​product, germacrene B (17.1%) and a number of minor by/​products. The optimal
pH for the recombinant enzyme is around 7.5. Substantial (+)/​germacrene D
synthase activity is observed in the presence of Mg2+, Mn2+, Ni2+ or Co2+, while
the enzyme is inactive when Cu2+ or Zn2+ is used. The Km/​ and kcat/​values are
0.88 microM and 3.34 x 10(/​3) s(/​1), respectively. A reaction mechanism
involving a double 1,2/​hydride shift has been established using deuterium
labeled substrates in combination with GC/​MS analysis.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16839518 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

26: Phytother Res. 2006 Sep;20(9):764/​72.

Analgesic, antiinflammatory and hypoglycaemic effects of ethanol extract of
Zingiber officinale (Roscoe) rhizomes (Zingiberaceae) in mice and rats.

Ojewole JA.

Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of
KwaZulu/​Natal, Private Bag X54001, Durban, South Africa. ojewolej@ukzn.ac.za

The present study was undertaken to investigate the analgesic, antiinflammatory
and hypoglycaemic effects of Zingiber officinale dried rhizomes ethanol extract
(ZOE) in mice and rats. The analgesic effect of ZOE was evaluated by 'hot/​plate'
and 'acetic acid' analgesic test methods in mice; while the antiinflammatory and
hypoglycaemic effects of the plant extract were investigated in rats, using
fresh egg albumin/​induced pedal oedema, and streptozotocin (STZ)/​induced
diabetes mellitus models. Morphine (MPN, 10 mg/kg), diclofenac (DIC, 100 mg/kg)
and chlorpropamide (250 mg/kg) were used as reference drugs for comparison. ZOE
(50/​800 mg/kg i.p.) produced dose/​dependent, significant (p < 0.05/​0.001)
analgesic effects against thermally and chemically induced nociceptive pain in
mice. The plant extract (ZOE, 50/​800 mg/kg p.o.) also significantly (p <
0.05/​0.001) inhibited fresh egg albumin/​induced acute inflammation, and caused
dose/​related, significant (p < 0.05/​0.001) hypoglycaemia in normal
(normoglycaemic) and diabetic rats. The findings of this experimental animal
study indicate that Zingiber officinale rhizomes ethanol extract possesses
analgesic, antiinflammatory and hypoglycaemic properties; and thus lend
pharmacological support to folkloric, ethnomedical uses of ginger in the
treatment and/or management of painful, arthritic inflammatory conditions, as
well as in the management and/or control of type 2 diabetes mellitus in some
rural Africa communities. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16807883 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

27: Pharmacol Biochem Behav. 2006 Jun;84(2):179/​88. Epub 2006 Jun 21.

Zingiber officinale exhibits behavioral radioprotection against
radiation/​induced CTA in a gender/​specific manner.

Haksar A, Sharma A, Chawla R, Kumar R, Arora R, Singh S, Prasad J, Gupta M,
Tripathi RP, Arora MP, Islam F, Sharma RK.

Division of Radiological Imaging, Bio/​informatics and Radiation Biology,
Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, Brig. S. K. Mazumdar Road,
Delhi/​110054, India.

At the organismic level, exposure to radiation can produce taste aversion (CTA)
learning and emesis, which have been proposed as behavioral endpoints that are
mediated by harmful effects of radiations on peripheral systems, primarily the
gastrointestinal system. Thus, the aim of the present investigation was to study
the gastroprotective action of hydroalcoholic extract of zingiber rhizome
(Zingiber officinale Rosc.) against radiation/​induced conditioned taste aversion
(CTA) in both male and female species of animals, for testing its potential as a
behavioral radioprotector. Administration of zingiber extract 1 h before 2/​Gy
gamma/​radiation was significantly effective in blocking the saccharin avoidance
response, with 200 and 250 mg/kg b.wt. i.p., being the most effective doses for
male and female rats, respectively. A comparison of the efficacy of zingiber
extract with two antiemetic drugs, ondansteron and dexamethasone, revealed that
the extract rendered comparable protection against radiation/​induced CTA. Our
experiments also confirmed the existence of sex dichotomy (i.e., the sex of
animal greatly influenced response towards radiation exposure) in relation to
behavioral responses (CTA) or differential metabolism. The observed gender
variations were hypothesized to be a result of hormonal fluctuations and
differences in pharmacological parameters in male and female rats. To correlate
the mechanism of action, the free/​radical/​scavenging potential of zingiber
extract to scavenge hydroxyl ion and nitric oxide was also tested, in cell/​free
system and a concentration of 1000 microg/ml, was found to be the most potent,
which has been proposed as one the many activities assisting in its overall
ability to modulate radiation/​induced taste aversion. The results demonstrate
that Z. officinale possesses antioxidant, radioprotective and neuromodulatory
properties that can be effectively utilized for behavioral radioprotection and
for efficiently mitigating radiation/​induced CTA in both males and females
species.

PMID: 16797061 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

28: J AOAC Int. 2006 May/​Jun;89(3):595/​605.

Determination of aflatoxin B1 in medical herbs: interlaboratory study.

Arranz I, Sizoo E, van Egmond H, Kroeger K, Legarda TM, Burdaspal P, Reif K,
Stroka J.

Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements, Retieseweg 111, B/​2440 Geel,
Belgium.

A method was developed for the determination of aflatoxin B1 in medical herbs
(senna pods, botanical name Cassia angustifolia; devil's claw, botanical name
Harpagophytum procumbens; and ginger roots, botanical name Zingiber officinale).
The method, which was tested in a mini/​collaborative study by 4 laboratories, is
based on an immunoaffinity cleanup followed by reversed/​phase high/​performance
liquid chromatography separation and fluorescence detection after post/​column
derivatization. It allows the quantitation of aflatoxin B1 at levels lower than
2 ng/g. A second extractant (acetone/​water) was tested and compared to the
proposed methanol/​water extractant. Several post/​column derivatization options
(electrochemically generated bromine, photochemical reaction, and chemical
bromination) as well as different integration modes (height versus area) were
also investigated. No differences were found depending on the choice of
derivatization system or the signal integration mode used. The method was tested
for 3 different matrixes: senna pods, ginger root, and devil's claw. Performance
characteristics were established from the results of the study and resulted in
HorRat values ranging from 0.12 to 0.75 with mean recoveries from 78 to 91% for
the extraction with methanol/​water and HorRat values ranging from 0.10/​1.03 with
mean recoveries from 98 to 103% for the extraction with acetone/​water. As a
result, the method, with all tested variations, was found to be fit/​for/​purpose
for the determination of aflatoxin B1 in medical herbs at levels of 1 microg/kg
and above.

Publication Types:
Multicenter Study

PMID: 16792057 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

29: Asian J Androl. 2006 Sep;8(5):607/​12. Epub 2006 Jun 5.

Effects of Roselle and Ginger on cisplatin/​induced reproductive toxicity in
rats.

Amin A, Hamza AA.

Department of Biology, United Arab Emirates University, Al/​Ain 17555, United
Arab Emirates. a.amin@uaeu.ac.ae

AIM: To evaluate the protective effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle) and
Zingiber officinale (Ginger) against cisplatin/​induced reproductive toxicity in
rats and to study the mechanisms underlying these effects. METHODS: Ethanol
extracts of H.sabdariffa or Z.officinale (1g/kg x day) were given p.o. to male
albino rats for 26 days, which began 21 days before a single cisplatin i.p.
injection (10 mg/kg body weight). RESULTS: Extracts of H.sabdariffa and
Z.officinale reduced the extent of cisplatin/​induced sperm abnormality and
enhanced sperm motility. Both extracts restored the control level of
malondialdehyde (MDA) (lipid peroxidation marker) in the cisplatin/​treated
testis. The cisplatin injection induced decline in the levels of superoxide
dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) were significantly
reversed to control levels in groups where cisplatin was preceded by the
administration of either H.sabdariffa or Z.officinale. CONCLUSION: Both
H.sabdariffa and Z.officinale treatment increased the activities of testicular
antioxidant enzymes and restored sperm motility of cisplatin/​treated rats. The
protective effects of tested plants are, therefore, suggested to be mediated by
their potent antioxidant activities.

PMID: 16751998 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

30: Planta Med. 2006 Jun;72(8):727/​34. Epub 2006 May 29.

Gingerol metabolite and a synthetic analogue Capsarol inhibit macrophage
NF/​kappaB/​mediated iNOS gene expression and enzyme activity.

Aktan F, Henness S, Tran VH, Duke CC, Roufogalis BD, Ammit AJ.

Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine,
with beneficial effects reported in numerous diseases, including inflammation.
Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), a proinflammatory enzyme responsible for
the generation of nitric oxide (NO), has been implicated in the pathogenesis of
inflammatory diseases. Gingerols, the main pungent principles of ginger, have
anti/​inflammatory properties in vitro. In this study we examine the inhibitory
effect of a stable [6]/​gingerol metabolite, RAC/​[6]/​dihydroparadol ([6]/​DHP) and
a closely related gingerol analogue,
RAC/​2/​hydroxy/​1/​(4/​hydroxy/​3/​methoxyphenyl)dodecan/​3/​one [a capsaicin/gingerol
(Capsarol) analogue referred to as ZTX42] on NO production, inducible nitric
oxide synthase (iNOS) activity and protein expression levels in a murine
macrophage cell line, RAW 264.7. Both ZTX42 and [6]/​DHP significantly inhibited
lipopolysaccharide/​induced NO production in a concentration/​dependent manner,
with an IC (50) of 1.45 +//​ 0.03 microM and 7.24 +//​ 0.22 microM, respectively
(P < 0.05). Although both compounds partially inhibited the catalytic activity
of iNOS, their inhibitory effect was predominantly due to attenuation of iNOS
protein production. This occurred at the transcriptional level, since the
gingerol compounds decreased LPS/​induced IkappaB/​alpha degradation, prevented
nuclear translocation of NF/​kappaB p65 and reduced NF/​kappaB activity in a
concentration/​dependent manner. Taken together, these results show that ZTX42
and [6]/​DHP suppress NO production in murine macrophages by partially inhibiting
iNOS enzymatic activity and reducing iNOS protein production, via attenuation of
NF/​kappaB/​mediated iNOS gene expression, providing a rationale for the
anti/​inflammatory activity reported for this class of compounds.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16732525 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

31: Phytomedicine. 2007 Feb;14(2/​3):123/​8. Epub 2006 May 18.

The effect of extracts from ginger rhizome on inflammatory mediator production.

Lantz RC, Chen GJ, Sarihan M, Solyom AM, Jolad SD, Timmermann BN.

Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 245044,
Tucson, AZ 85724, USA; Arizona Center for Phytomedicine Research, University of
Arizona, P.O. Box 210207, Tucson AZ 85721, USA.

Compounds from rhizomes of Zingiber officinale, commonly called ginger, have
been purported to have anti/​inflammatory actions. We have used an in vitro test
system to test the anti/​inflammatory activity of compounds isolated from ginger
rhizome. U937 cells were differentiated and exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)
from Escherichia coli (1mug/ml) in the presence or absence of organic extracts
or standard compounds found in ginger (6/​, 8/​, 10/​gingerol or 6/​shogaol) for
24h. Supernatants were collected and analyzed for the production of
prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF/​alpha) by
standard ELISA assays. Predominant compounds in the organic extracts were
identified as 6/​, 8/​ 10/​gingerols and 6/​, 8/​, 10/​shogaols. Organic extracts or
standards containing gingerols were not cytotoxic, while extracts or standards
containing predominantly shogaols were cytotoxic at concentrations above
20mug/ml. Crude organic extracts of ginger were capable of inhibiting LPS
induced PGE(2) (IC(50)<0.1mug/ml) production. However, extracts were not nearly
as effective at inhibiting TNF/​alpha (IC(50)>30mug/ml). Thirty three fractions
and subfractions, prepared by column chromatography, were analyzed for
bioactivity. Extracts containing either predominantly gingerols or shogaols
(identified by HPLC) were both highly active at inhibiting LPS/​induced PGE(2)
production (IC(50)<0.1mug/ml), while extracts that contained unknown compounds
were less effective (IC(50)<3.2mug/ml). Extracts or standards containing
predominantly gingerols were capable of inhibiting LPS/​induced COX/​2 expression
while shogaol containing extracts had no effect on COX/​2 expression. These data
demonstrate that compounds found in ginger are capable of inhibiting PGE(2)
production and that the compounds may act at several sites.

PMID: 16709450 [PubMed /​ in process]

32: Int J Dermatol. 2006 Apr;45(4):460/​8.

Inhibition of ultraviolet/​B/​induced wrinkle formation by an elastase/​inhibiting
herbal extract: implication for the mechanism underlying elastase/​associated
wrinkles.

Tsukahara K, Nakagawa H, Moriwaki S, Takema Y, Fujimura T, Imokawa G.

Department of Dermatology, Jichi Medical School, and Kao Biological Science
Laboratories, Tochigi, Japan.

BACKGROUND: Previously, we have demonstrated that fibroblast/​derived elastase
plays an essential role in the increased three/​dimensional tortuosity of elastic
fibers, contributing to the loss of skin elasticity in UV/​B/​exposed skin. This
decrease in skin elasticity is closely associated with the formation of wrinkles
induced by UV exposure. OBJECTIVE: To further clarify the role of elastase in
the formation of wrinkles induced by UV exposure, we assessed the effects of an
extract of Zingiber officinale (L.) Rose (which inhibits fibroblast/​derived
elastase) on the wrinkle formation induced by chronic UV/​B irradiation. RESULTS:
Topical application of an extract of Zingiber officinale (L.) Rose to rat or
hairless mouse skin significantly inhibited the wrinkle formation induced by
chronic UV/​B irradiation at a suberythemal dose, which was accompanied by a
significant prevention of the decrease in skin elasticity in both types of
animal skin. In the rat hind limb skin, consistent with the inhibition of
reduced skin elasticity, wrinkle prevention occurred concomitantly with a
significant decrease in the curling and three/​dimensional tortuosity of dermal
elastic fibers. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that herbal extracts with an
ability to inhibit fibroblast/​derived elastase may prove to be effective as
anti/​wrinkling agents, confirming the important role of elastase in UV/​B/​induced
wrinkle formation.

PMID: 16650179 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

33: Anal Bioanal Chem. 2006 Aug;385(7):1241/​6. Epub 2006 Mar 28.

Design of a method for generation of gas/​phase hydroxyl radicals, and use of
HPLC with fluorescence detection to assess the antioxidant capacity of natural
essential oils.

Pezo D, Salafranca J, Nerin C.

Department of Analytical Chemistry, Aragon Institute of Engineering Research
I3A, CPS /​ University of Zaragoza, Torres Quevedo Bldg., Maria de Luna St. 3,
50018, Zaragoza, Spain.

The use of natural antioxidants is of increasing importance in the human diet,
because they are recognised as compounds essential to health which minimize or
delay the aging process. Despite apparent simplicity, however, it is very
difficult to measure and quantify such properties, for which a robust analytical
method is required. Because oxidation usually is caused by the presence of OH*
radicals, a new method involving the in/​situ, vapour/​phase generation of these
radicals and their quantification in the presence and absence of potential
antioxidant extracts has been developed. The oxidant atmosphere generated from
hydrogen peroxide is carried by an air stream through an empty quartz chamber in
which UV radiation promotes the formation of radicals by a photochemical
reaction. The products then pass through a cartridge containing the essential
oil, finally bubbling into an impinger containing an aqueous solution of
salicylic acid, at pH 4.5, which reacts with the OH* radicals forming
2,5/​dihydroxybenzoic acid. This solution is quantified by RP/​HPLC using UV and
fluorescence detectors connected in series. Detection and quantification limits
for OH* radicals were approximately 0.01 pg g(/​1) air. Description and
optimization of the method are discussed, as also is the antioxidant performance
of an extract of ginger (Zingiber officinale R.), which reduced the oxidation
process by up to 92%.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16570142 [PubMed /​ in process]

34: Phytother Res. 2006 Mar;20(3):187/​90.

Effects of combining extracts (from propolis or Zingiber officinale) with
clarithromycin on Helicobacter pylori.

Nostro A, Cellini L, Di Bartolomeo S, Cannatelli MA, Di Campli E, Procopio F,
Grande R, Marzio L, Alonzo V.

Pharmaco/​Biological Department, Section of Microbiology, University of Messina,
Messina, Italy.

Propolis and Zingiber officinale have been shown to be specifically targeted
against Helicobacter pylori strains, to possess antiinflammatory, antioxidant
and antitumoral activity and to be used in traditional medicine for the
treatment of gastrointestinal ailments. Considering that these natural products
could potentially serve as novel therapeutic tools also in combination with an
antibiotic, the aim of this work was to evaluate their effect when combined with
clarithromycin on clinical H. pylori isolates (n = 25), characterized in respect
to both clarithromycin susceptibility and the presence of the cagA gene. The
results showed that the combinations of propolis extract + clarithromycin and Z.
officinale extract + clarithromycin exhibited improved inhibition of H. pylori
with synergistic or additive activity. Interestingly, the susceptibility to
combinations was significantly independent of the microbial clarithromycin
susceptibility status. Only one H. pylori strain showed antagonism towards the
Z. officinale extract + clarithromycin combination. The data demonstrate that
combinations of propolis extract + clarithromycin and Z. officinale extract +
clarithromycin have the potential to help control H. pylori/​associated
gastroduodenal disease. Copyright 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study

PMID: 16521108 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

35: Fitoterapia. 2006 Apr;77(3):160/​3. Epub 2006 Feb 28.

Beneficial effects of Zingiber officinale on goldthioglucose induced obesity.

Goyal RK, Kadnur SV.

Department of Pharmacology, L.M.College of Pharmacy, Navarangpura,
Ahmedabad/​380009, India. goyalrk@hotmail.com

Goldthioglucose induces in mice a significant increase in body weight, glucose,
insulin and lipid levels. Treatment with 250 mg/kg of methanol and ethyl acetate
extracts of Zingiber officinale for 8 weeks produces significant reduction in
body weight, glucose, insulin and lipid levels as compared to obese control
mice. The reduction in elevated glucose along with elevated insulin levels
indicates that the treatment with Z. officinale improves insulin sensitivity.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16513292 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

36: Biol Pharm Bull. 2006 Mar;29(3):443/​7.

Synergistic effect of [10]/​gingerol and aminoglycosides against
vancomycin/​resistant enterococci (VRE).

Nagoshi C, Shiota S, Kuroda T, Hatano T, Yoshida T, Kariyama R, Tsuchiya T.

Department of Molecular Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and
Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Tsushima, Japan.

An extract from ginger (root of Zingiber officinale) reduced the minimum
inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of aminoglycosides in vancomycin/​resistant
enterococci (VRE). The effective compound was isolated and identified as
[10]/​gingerol. In the presence of [10]/​gingerol at 1/10 concentration of its own
MIC, the MIC of arbekacin was lowered by 1/32 to 1/16. [10]/​Gingerol also
reduced the MICs of other aminoglycosides, and of bacitracin and polymixin B,
but not of other antimicrobial agents tested. Because [10]/​gingerol reduced the
MICs of several aminoglycosides both in strains possessing or lacking
aminoglycoside/​modification enzymes, it seems that the effect of [10]/​gingerol
is not related to these enzymes, which mainly confer bacterial resistance
against aminoglycosides. It seemed that a detergent/​like effect of [10]/​gingerol
potentiated the antimicrobial activity of the aminoglycosides. In fact, some
detergents such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and Triton X/​100 reduced the
MICs of aminoglycosides, bacitracin and polymixin B in VRE. Since the intrinsic
resistance to aminoglycosides in enterococci is due to low level of entry of the
drugs into the cells, increase in the membrane permeability caused by
[10]/​gingerol will enhance the influx of aminoglycosides into enterococcal
cells.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16508142 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

37: Integr Cancer Ther. 2006 Mar;5(1):9/​29.

Targeting angiogenesis with integrative cancer therapies.

Yance DR Jr, Sagar SM.

Center for Natural Healing, Ashland, Oregon, USA.

An integrative approach for managing a patient with cancer should target the
multiple biochemical and physiological pathways that support tumor development
while minimizing normal tissue toxicity. Angiogenesis is a key process in the
promotion of cancer. Many natural health products that inhibit angiogenesis also
manifest other anticancer activities. The authors will focus on natural health
products (NHPs) that have a high degree of antiangiogenic activity but also
describe some of their many other interactions that can inhibit tumor
progression and reduce the risk of metastasis. NHPs target various molecular
pathways besides angiogenesis, including epidermal growth factor receptor
(EGFR), the HER/​2/neu gene, the cyclooxygenase/​2 enzyme, the NF/​kB transcription
factor, the protein kinases, Bcl/​2 protein, and coagulation pathways. The
herbalist has access to hundreds of years of observational data on the
anticancer activity of many herbs. Laboratory studies are confirming the
knowledge that is already documented in traditional texts. The following herbs
are traditionally used for anticancer treatment and are antiangiogenic through
multiple interdependent processes that include effects on gene expression,
signal processing, and enzyme activities: Artemisia annua (Chinese wormwood),
Viscum album (European mistletoe), Curcuma longa (turmeric), Scutellaria
baicalensis (Chinese skullcap), resveratrol and proanthocyanidin (grape seed
extract), Magnolia officinalis (Chinese magnolia tree), Camellia sinensis (green
tea), Ginkgo biloba, quercetin, Poria cocos, Zingiber officinale (ginger), Panax
ginseng, Rabdosia rubescens (rabdosia), and Chinese destagnation herbs. Quality
assurance of appropriate extracts is essential prior to embarking on clinical
trials. More data are required on dose response, appropriate combinations, and
potential toxicities. Given the multiple effects of these agents, their future
use for cancer therapy probably lies in synergistic combinations. During active
cancer therapy, they should generally be evaluated in combination with
chemotherapy and radiation. In this role, they act as biological response
modifiers and adaptogens, potentially enhancing the efficacy of the so/​called
conventional therapies. Their effectiveness may be increased when multiple
agents are used in optimal combinations. New designs for trials to demonstrate
activity in human subjects are required. Although controlled trials might be
preferred, smaller studies with appropriate end points and surrogate markers for
antiangiogenic response could help prioritize agents for the larger
resource/​intensive phase 3 trials.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study
Review

PMID: 16484711 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

38: J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Feb 22;54(4):1414/​9.

Essential oil composition of diploid and tetraploid clones of ginger (Zingiber
officinale Roscoe) grown in Australia.

Wohlmuth H, Smith MK, Brooks LO, Myers SP, Leach DN.

School of Natural and Complementary Medicine, Southern Cross University, P.O.
Box 157, Lismore NSW 2480, Australia. hans.wohlmuth@scu.edu.au

Ginger oil, obtained by steam distillation of the rhizome of Zingiber officinale
Roscoe, is used in the beverage and fragrance industries. Ginger oil displays
considerable compositional diversity, but is typically characterized by a high
content of sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, including zingiberene, ar/​curcumene,
beta/​bisabolene, and beta/​sesquiphellandrene. Australian ginger oil has a
reputation for possessing a particular "lemony" aroma, due to its high content
of the isomers neral and geranial, often collectively referred to as citral.
Fresh rhizomes of 17 clones of Australian ginger, including commercial cultivars
and experimental tetraploid clones, were steam distilled 7 weeks post/​harvest,
and the resulting oils were analyzed by GC/​MS. The essential oils of 16 of the
17 clones, including the tetraploid clones and their parent cultivar, were found
to be of substantially similar composition. These oils were characterized by
very high citral levels (51/​71%) and relatively low levels of the sesquiterpene
hydrocarbons typical of ginger oil. The citral levels of most of these oils
exceeded those previously reported for ginger oils. The neral/​to/​geranial ratio
was shown to be remarkably constant (0.61 +//​ 0.01) across all 17 clones. One
clone, the cultivar "Jamaican", yielded oil with a substantially different
composition, lower citral content and higher levels of sesquiterpene
hydrocarbons. Because this cultivar also contains significantly higher
concentrations of pungent gingerols, it possesses unique aroma and flavor
characteristics, which should be of commercial interest.

PMID: 16478268 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

39: J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Jun 30;106(2):285/​7. Epub 2006 Jan 26.

In vivo anthelmintic activity of ginger against gastrointestinal nematodes of
sheep.

Iqbal Z, Lateef M, Akhtar MS, Ghayur MN, Gilani AH.

Department of Veterinary Parasitology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad
38040, Pakistan. zafaruaf@yahoo.com

This paper describes the anthelmintic activity of Zingiber officinale Roscoe
(family Zingiberaceae) rhizome, commonly known as ginger, to justify its
traditional use in veterinary medicine. Crude powder (CP) and crude aqueous
extract (CAE) of dried ginger (1/​3 g/kg) were administered to sheep naturally
infected with mixed species of gastrointestinal nematodes. Both CP and CAE
exhibited a dose/​ and a time/​dependent anthelmintic effect with respective
maximum reduction of 25.6% and 66.6% in eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces on day 10
of post/​treatment. Levamisole (7.5 mg/kg), a standard anthelmintic agent,
exhibited 99.2% reduction in EPG. This study shows that ginger possesses in vivo
anthelmintic activity in sheep thus justifying the age/​old traditional use of
this plant in helminth infestation.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16443342 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

40: Food Chem Toxicol. 2006 Jun;44(6):877/​84. Epub 2006 Jan 27.

Lack of chemopreventive effects of ginger on colon carcinogenesis induced by
1,2/​dimethylhydrazine in rats.

Dias MC, Spinardi/​Barbisan AL, Rodrigues MA, de Camargo JL, Teran E, Barbisan
LF.

UNESP Sao Paulo State University, Institute of Biosciences, Department of
Morphology, Botucatu 18618/​000, SP, Brazil.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) has been proposed as a promising candidate
for cancer prevention. Its modifying potential on the process of colon
carcinogenesis induced by 1,2/​dimethylhydrazine (DMH) was investigated in male
Wistar rats using the aberrant crypt foci (ACF) assay. Five groups were studied:
Groups 1/​3 were given four s.c. injections of DMH (40 mg/kg b.w.) twice a week,
during two weeks, whereas Groups 4 and 5 received similar injections of EDTA
solution (DMH vehicle). After DMH/​initiation, the animals were fed a ginger
extract mixed in the basal diet at 0.5% (Group 2) and 1.0% (Groups 3 and 4) for
10 weeks. All rats were killed after 12 weeks and the colons were analyzed for
ACF formation and crypt multiplicity. The rates of cell proliferation and
apoptosis were also evaluated in epithelial colonic crypt cells. Dietary
consumption of ginger at both dose levels did not induce any toxicity in the
rats, but ginger meal at 1% decreased significantly serum cholesterol levels
(p<0.038). Treatment with ginger did not suppress ACF formation or the number of
crypts per ACF in the DMH/​treated group. Dietary ginger did not significantly
change the proliferative or apoptosis indexes of the colonic crypt cells induced
by DMH. Thus, the present results did not confirm a chemopreventive activity of
ginger on colon carcinogenesis as analyzed by the ACF bioassay and by the growth
kinetics of the colonic mucosa.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16442687 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

41: Am J Chin Med. 2006;34(1):157/​69.

Macrophage/​mediated inhibitory effect of Zingiber officinale Rosc, a traditional
oriental herbal medicine, on the growth of influenza A/Aichi/2/68 virus.

Imanishi N, Andoh T, Mantani N, Sakai S, Terasawa K, Shimada Y, Sato M, Katada
Y, Ueda K, Ochiai H.

Department of Oriental Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University,
Toyama 930/​0194, Japan.

The inhibitory effect of Zingiber officinale Rosc (ZOR), an Oriental traditional
herbal medicine, on the growth of influenza A/Aichi/2/68 (Aichi) virus was
investigated in Madin/​Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Direct addition of ZOR
(0.1 approximately 100 microg/ml) to the infected cells did not have any
inhibitory effect. However, the ZOR/​induced conditioned medium (ZOR/​CM) of RAW
cells, a murine macrophage (Mphi) cell line, exhibited an apparent inhibitory
effect on MDCK cells without cytotoxicity. In accordance with the time/​dependent
inhibitory effect of ZOR/​CM, it has been demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor
(TNF)/​alpha was gradually accumulated in ZOR/​CM by the induction of TNF/​alpha
mRNA expression in ZOR/​stimulated RAW cells. Conversely, the inhibitory effect
of ZOR/​CM was reduced significantly by the removal of TNF/​alpha after the
formation of an immune complex with anti/​TNF/​alpha monoclonal antibody. These
data suggested that ZOR itself has no inhibitory effect on the growth of
influenza virus, but could exert its effect via macrophage activation leading to
production of TNF/​alpha.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16437748 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

42: Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2005 Oct;30(20):1569/​73.

[Studies of commonly used traditional medicine/​ginger]

[Article in Chinese]

Wang WH, Wang ZM.

Institute of Chinese Materia Medica, China Academy of Traditional Chinese
Medicine, Beijing 100700, China. w999999w@tom.com

To review the chemical, pharmacological, studies on ginger (Zingiber officinale)
in the last ten years, and also its processing history and clinical uses.
Gingerols and related compounds in ginger have many pharmacological activities.
Chemical studies should be given sufficiently emphasis, and advances of the
chemical study will promote the other related researches to develop in depth.

Publication Types:
English Abstract
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't
Review

PMID: 16422532 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

43: Pak J Pharm Sci. 2004 Jan;17(1):47/​54.

Kinetic studies on Zingiber officinale.

Shadmani A, Azhar I, Mazhar F, Hassan MM, Ahmed SW, Ahmad I, Usmanghani K,
Shamim S.

Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Karachi,
Karachi/​75270, Pakistan.

The present investigation deals with the isolation, purification and
characterization of gingerol, the major pungent constituent of ginger (Zingiber
officinale) and its kinetic of extraction using a number of organic solvents.
The characterization was carried out through GC and GC/​MS. Gingerol has been
assayed in the plant material during extraction with various solvents by a HPLC
method.In order to develop a relationship between solvent characteristics such
as viscosity and dielectric constant and the rates of extraction, the kinetics
of extraction of gingerol has been studied by using twelve different solvents in
order to evaluate the solvent efficacy in the extraction processes. It has been
observed that both solvent viscosity (1/v) and dielectric constant (epsilon)
show a linear relationship with the rates of extraction (k). An increase in
solvent viscosity leads to a decrease in the rates of extraction, similarly an
increase in dielectric constant also leads to a decrease in the rates of
extraction. This appears to be largely due to an unionizable character of
gingerol which does not interact with polar solvents. Thus solvent viscosity and
dielectric constant both play an important role in the choice of solvents for
the extraction of gingerol. Solvents with relatively low viscosity and
dielectric constant are more suitable for the extraction of gingerol from plant
material.

PMID: 16414586 [PubMed]

44: Eur J Pharmacol. 2006 Jan 13;530(1/​2):136/​43. Epub 2005 Dec 20.

Mode of action of gingerols and shogaols on 5/​HT3 receptors: binding studies,
cation uptake by the receptor channel and contraction of isolated guinea/​pig
ileum.

Abdel/​Aziz H, Windeck T, Ploch M, Verspohl EJ.

Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry,
Munster, Germany.

Ginger (rhizomes of Zingiber officinale) has been shown to exert potent
anti/​emetic properties, but its mode of action has not yet been elucidated.
Among its active constituents, [6]/​, [8]/​ and [10]/​gingerol as well as
[6]/​shogaol were shown in different in vivo studies to be at least partly
responsible for the drug's anti/​emetic properties. In an attempt to gain more
insight into the mode of action of these compounds, three different in vitro
models were used to investigate their effects on 5/​HT(3) receptors (serotonin
receptor subtype) in more detail: [(14)C]guanidinium influx into N1E/​115 cells
which express 5/​HT(3) receptors, isotonic contractions of the isolated
guinea/​pig ileum and equilibrium competition binding studies using a
radioactively labeled 5/​HT(3) receptor antagonist ([(3)H]GR65630)
(3/​(5/​methyl/​1H/​imidazol/​4/​yl)/​1/​(1/​methyl/​1H/​indol/​3/​yl)/​1/​propanone). All four
compounds inhibited the [(14)C]guanidinium influx through 5/​HT(3) receptor
channels as well as contractions of the guinea/​pig ileum induced by SR57227A
((4/​amino)/​(6/​chloro/​2/​pyridyl)l/​piperidine hydrochloride), a highly selective
5/​HT(3) receptor agonist. Both effects were concentration/​dependent, with the
following order of potency for both models: [6]/​shogaol> or
=[8]/​gingerol>[10]/​gingerol> or =[6]/​gingerol. All compounds showed also weak
anticholinergic and antineurokininergic activities in the guinea/​pig ileum
(acetylcholine and substance P are mediators of the 5/​HT(3) receptor effect).
The vanilloid receptor did not seem to be involved derived from experiments
using capsazepine. None of the tested ginger substances, however, was able to
displace [(3)H]GR65630 from its binding site (5/​HT(3) receptor) neither on
intact N1E/​115 cells nor on the purified membranes of HEK/​293 cells
over/​expressing the h5/​HT(3) receptor. It may be concluded that [6]/​, [8]/​,
[10]/​gingerol and [6]/​shogaol exert their anti/​emetic effect at least partly by
acting on the 5/​HT(3) receptor ion/​channel complex, probably by binding to a
modulatory site distinct from the serotonin binding site. This may include
indirect effects via receptors in the signal cascade behind the 5/​HT(3) receptor
channel complex such as substance P receptors and muscarinic receptors; this
needs further investigation since ginger is effective against motion sickness
which is cured by some vanilloids and by anticholinergics such as scopolamine.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study
In Vitro

PMID: 16364290 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

45: Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2005 Sep;56(6):399/​414.

Plant foods in the management of diabetes mellitus: spices as beneficial
antidiabetic food adjuncts.

Srinivasan K.

Department of Biochemistry & Nutrition, Central Food Technological Research
Institute, Mysore/​570013, India.

Diet has been recognized as a corner stone in the management of diabetes
mellitus. Spices are the common dietary adjuncts that contribute to the taste
and flavour of foods. Besides, spices are also known to exert several beneficial
physiological effects including the antidiabetic influence. This review
considers all the available information from animal experimentation as well as
clinical trials where spices, their extracts or their active principles were
examined for treatment of diabetes. Among the spices, fenugreek seeds
(Trigonella foenumgraecum), garlic (Allium sativum), onion (Allium cepa), and
turmeric (Curcuma longa) have been experimentally documented to possess
antidiabetic potential. In a limited number of studies, cumin seeds (Cuminum
cyminum), ginger (Zingiber officinale), mustard (Brassica nigra), curry leaves
(Murraya koenigii) and coriander (Coriandrum sativum) have been reported to be
hypoglycaemic.

Publication Types:
Review

PMID: 16361181 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

46: Indian J Exp Biol. 2005 Dec;43(12):1161/​4.

Beneficial effects of Zingiber officinale Roscoe on fructose induced
hyperlipidemia and hyperinsulinemia in rats.

Kadnur SV, Goyal RK.

Department of Pharmacology L. M. College of Pharmacy, Navarangpura, Ahmedabad
380 009, India.

Fructose supplementation produced cardinal features of Syndrome/​X including
significant elevations in seum cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose and insulin
and also in body weight. While treatment with methanolic extract of dried
rhizomes of Zingiber officinale produced a significant reduction in fructose
induced elevation in lipid levels, bodyweight, hyperglycemia and
hyperinsulinemia, treatment with ethyl acetate extract of Z officinale did not
poduce any significant change in either of the last two parameters. However, it
produced a significant reduction in elevated lipid levels and body weight The
concentration of 6/​gingerol was found to be higher in methanolic extract and
less in ethyl acetate extract. The results suggest that the methanolic extract
of Z officinale produces better effects as compared to ethyl acetate extract in
fructose induced hyperlipidemia associated with insulin resistance. The extent
of activity appears to be dependent on the concentration of 6/​gingerol present
in the extracts.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16359128 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

47: J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Apr 21;105(1/​2):301/​5. Epub 2005 Dec 9.

The modulatory effects of the volatile oil of ginger on the cellular immune
response in vitro and in vivo in mice.

Zhou HL, Deng YM, Xie QM.

Department of Pharmacology, Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou
310031, China.

The aim of this study was to investigate the immunomodulatory effects of the
volatile oil of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) in vitro and in vivo in
mice. In vitro, the volatile oil of ginger (0.001/​10 ng/mL) significantly
inhibited T lymphocyte proliferation (P < 0.01), decreased the number of the
total T lymphocytes and T helper cells (P < 0.01) in a concentration/​dependent
manner, but increased the percentage of T suppressor cells to the total T
lymphocytes in the mice. In addition, the volatile oil of ginger (0.001/​10
ng/mL) inhibited IL/​1alpha secretion by the mice peritoneal macrophages in a
concentration/​dependent manner. In vivo, oral administration of the volatile oil
of ginger in the doses of 0.125, 0.25 and 0.5 g/kg body weight dose/​dependently
weakened the delayed type of hypersensitivity response to
2,4/​dinitro/​1/​fluorobenzene in the sensitized mice (P < 0.05). These results
suggest that the volatile oil of ginger influences both cell/​mediated immune
response and nonspecific proliferation of T lymphocyte, and may exert beneficial
effects in a number of clinical conditions, such as chronic inflammation and
autoimmune diseases.

Publication Types:
In Vitro

PMID: 16338110 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

48: J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Apr 21;105(1/​2):76/​83. Epub 2005 Dec 6.

Antioxidant activity of a salt/​spice/​herbal mixture against free radical
induction.

Natarajan KS, Narasimhan M, Shanmugasundaram KR, Shanmugasundaram ER.

ALMPG Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani
Campus, Chennai 600113, India.

A combination of spices (Piper nigrum, Piper longum and Zingiber officinale),
herbs (Cyperus rotundus and Plumbago zeylanica) and salts make up Amrita Bindu.
The study was focused to evaluate the antioxidant property of individual
ingredients in Amrita Bindu against the free radical
2,2'/​azinobis/​(3/​ethylbenzothiazoline/​6/​sulphonic acid) (ABTS). The analysis
revealed the antioxidant potential of the ingredients in the following order:
Piper nigrum>Piper longum>Cyperus rotundus>Plumbago zeylanca>Zingiber
officinale. Two different experiments were designed. In experiment I, rats were
fed with normal diet whereas in experiment II rats were given feed mixed with
Amrita Bindu for 3 weeks (4 g/kg of feed). Rats from both experimental groups
were challenged against a single intraperitonial injection of phenylhydrazine
(PHZ) (7.5 mg/kg body weight). At the end of 24 and 72 h, blood was analysed for
free radicals and antioxidant levels. It was interesting to note that rats with
Amrita Bindu pretreatment showed significantly lower levels of free radicals,
lipid peroxidation and protein carbonyls along with significantly higher levels
of antioxidants when compared with rats without Amrita Bindu pretreatment on PHZ
administration. These results reveal that Amrita Bindu, a salt/​spice/​herbal
mixture exerts a promising antioxidant potential against free radical induced
oxidative damage.

PMID: 16337350 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

49: Phytother Res. 2005 Nov;19(11):988/​91.

In vitro susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to botanical extracts used
traditionally for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.

Mahady GB, Pendland SL, Stoia A, Hamill FA, Fabricant D, Dietz BM, Chadwick LR.

Program for Collaborative Research in the Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of
Illinois at Chicago, 833 S. Wood Street M/C 877, 60612, USA. mahady@uic.edu

The gram/​negative bacterium Helicobacter pylori (HP), identified in 1982, is now
recognized as the primary etiological factor associated with the development of
gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. In addition, HP infections are also
associated with chronic gastritis, gastric carcinoma and primary gastric B/​cell
lymphoma. For centuries, herbals have been used in traditional medicine to treat
a wide range of ailments, including gastrointestinal (GI) disorders such as
dyspepsia, gastritis and peptic ulcer disease (PUD). However, the mechanism of
action by which these botanicals exert their therapeutic effects has not been
completely elucidated. As part of an ongoing screening program, the study
assessed the in vitro susceptibility of 15 HP strains to botanical extracts,
which have a history of traditional use in the treatment of GI disorders.
Methanol extracts of Myristica fragrans (seed) had a MIC of 12.5 microg/mL;
Zingiber officinale (ginger rhizome/root) and Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary
leaf) had an MIC of 25 microg/mL. Methanol extracts of botanicals with a MIC of
50 microg/mL included Achillea millefolium, Foeniculum vulgare (seed),
Passiflora incarnata (herb), Origanum majorana (herb) and a (1:1) combination of
Curcuma longa (root) and ginger rhizome. Botanical extracts with a MIC of 100
microg/mL included Carum carvi (seed), Elettaria cardamomum (seed), Gentiana
lutea (roots), Juniper communis (berry), Lavandula angustifolia (flowers),
Melissa officinalis (leaves), Mentha piperita (leaves) and Pimpinella anisum
(seed). Methanol extracts of Matricaria recutita (flowers) and Ginkgo biloba
(leaves) had a MIC > 100 microg/mL.

PMID: 16317658 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

50: J Food Prot. 2005 Oct;68(10):2054/​8.

Antimicrobial effect of Thai spices against Listeria monocytogenes and
Salmonella typhimurium DT104.

Thongson C, Davidson PM, Mahakarnchanakul W, Vibulsresth P.

Department of Food Science and Technology, 2605 River Drive, University of
Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996/​4591, USA.

The objective of this study was to determine the potential antimicrobial
activity of extracts and essential oils of spices from Thailand against
foodborne pathogenic bacteria. The antimicrobial efficacy of ginger (Zingiber
officinale), fingerroot (Boesenbergia pandurata), and turmeric (Curcuma longa)
was evaluated against five strains of Listeria monocytogenes and four strains of
Salmonella enterica ssp. enterica serovar Typhimurium DT104. Antimicrobial
activity was investigated in microbiological media by using an agar dilution
assay and enumeration over time and a model food system, apple juice, by
monitoring growth over time. In the agar dilution assay, water extracts of the
three spices had no effect on L. monocytogenes. Similarly, 50% ethanol extracts
of ginger or turmeric had no effect. In contrast, ethanolic fingerroot extracts
at 5 to 10% (vol/ vol) inhibited most L. monocytogenes strains for 24 h in the
agar dilution assay. Commercial essential oils (EO) of ginger or turmeric
inhibited all L. monocytogenes at < or = 0.6 or < or = 10%, respectively.
Fingerroot EO inhibited all strains at < or = 0.4%. In the enumeration/​over/​time
assay, a 5% fingerroot ethanol extract reduced ca. 4 log CFU/ml Listeria by
around 2 log in 24 h while 10% inactivated the microorganism in 9 h. Fingerroot
EO at 0.2% inactivated 4 log CFU/ml L. monocytogenes in 6 to 9 h. Neither
extracts nor commercial EO had any effect on Salmonella Typhimurium DT 104 with
the exception of fingerroot EO, which inhibited all strains at < or = 0.7%.
Addition of 0.2% fingerroot EO to apple juice reduced 4 log of L. monocytogenes
Scott A and both strains of Salmonella Typhimurium to an undetectable level
within 1 to 2 days. It was concluded that fi