Role of dietary ginger Zingiber officinale in improving growth performances and immune functions of Labeo rohita fingerlings

This study evaluated the effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale) as a feeding supplement on the growth, skin mucus immune parameters, and cytokine-related gene expression of Labeo rohita, and its susceptibility to Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Diets containing six different concentrations of dried ginger (0% [basal diet], 0.2% [G2], 0.4% [G4], 0.6% [G6], 0.8% [G8], and 1.0% [G10] were fed to fish (average weight: 12.3 g) for 60 days. Growth parameters were examined at 30 and 60 days post-feeding. Skin mucosal immune responses and gene expression were examined 60 days post-feeding. Results showed that growth parameters such as final weight gain (93.47 ± 1.73 g) and specific growth rate (3.41 ± 0.14) were significantly higher in G8 than in the control. Among the skin mucosal immune parameters examined, lysozyme (46.5 ± 3.8 U mg(-1)), immunoglobulin level (8.9 ± 0.4 unit-mg mL(-1)), protein level (44.3 ± 2.2 mg mL(-1)) were significantly higher in G8. However, alkaline phosphatase activity (171.6 ± 10.2 IU L(-1)) was high (P < 0.05) in the G10 group. Skin mucus of G8 exhibited significantly higher inhibition zones when tested against pathogenic bacterial strains. For cytokine-related genes, anti-oxidant genes (zinc/copper superoxide dismutase [SOD1], glutathione peroxidase [GPx], anti-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-10 [IL-10], transforming growth factor-beta [TGF-β]), signalling molecules nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 [Nrf2], and Inhibitor protein κBα [IκB-α]) were all up-regulated in the head kidney, intestine, and hepatopancreas of fish that were fed experimental diets. In addition, expression abundance was significantly higher in most tissues in G2 and/or G10, than in the control. Conversely, expression of genes encoding pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, tumour necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α]), signalling molecules Kelch-like-ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), and nuclear factor kappa B p65 (NF-κBp65) were down-regulated in treatment groups. Moreover, fish fed a 0.8% [G8] ginger supplemented diet exhibited significantly higher relative post-challenge survival (65.52%) against Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Collectively, these results suggest that dietary supplements of ginger (at 0.8%) can promote growth performance, skin mucus immune parameters, and strengthen immunity of L. rohita. Therefore, ginger represents a promising food additive for carps in aquaculture.

Changes in antioxidant and antibacterial activities as well as phytochemical constituents associated with ginger storage and polyphenol oxidase activity

Background

Herbal materials should be stored at optimal conditions in order to retain their nutritional quality. Proper storage has a significant impact on the quality of the herbs and spices.

Methods

The effects of storage temperature (5 and 15 °C) and time (4 and 8 months) on the phytochemical constituents associated with the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of ginger varieties (Halia bentong and Halia bara) were evaluated to determine the optimal storage conditions for ginger rhizomes. Total flavonoid content (TFC) and Total phenolic content (TPC) were measured using the spectrophotometric method. Individual phenolic acids and flavonoids, 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol were identified by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography. Ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays were used for evaluation of antioxidant activities. An antibacterial property of ginger varieties was evaluated using well diffusion method.

Results

Dry matter, TPC, TFC and individual phenolics and flavonoids content, 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol content noticeably decreased at 5 and 15 °C during the storage times from 4 to 8 months. Highest content of flavonoids, phenolic acids, 6-gingerol, and 6-shogaol was observed in fresh samples followed by rhizomes stored at 5 °C for 4 months. Storage at 15 °C for 4 months reduced the phytochemical content significantly. Cinnamic acid and tannic acid were not detected in those variety stored at 15 °C for 4 and 8 months. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity was associated significantly with storage time and temperature. Highest and lowest PPO activity was observed in stored and fresh rhizomes respectively. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities gradually declined with the increase of storage temperature (from 5 to 15 °C) and duration (from 4 to 8 months) in both the varieties. Freshly harvested Halia bara variety had higher antioxidant and antibacterial activity compared to the Halia bentong variety.

Conclusions

Halia bara exhibited valuable phytochemical content and antioxidant and antibacterial activities at higher levels compared to that exhibited by Halia bentong rhizomes. In general, storage of Malaysian ginger varieties at temperature of 5 °C is recommended and the storage time should be not more than 4 months. This storage condition will provide greater stability to the concentration of the phytochemical constituents more similar to the fresh material. 

Comparison of fresh, dried and stir-frying gingers in decoction with blood stasis syndrome in rats based on a GC-TOF/MS metabolomics approach

In China, ginger (Zingiberofficinale Rosc.) and its processed products, such as dried ginger and stir-frying ginger are commonly applied in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The paper presents the research on the effects of fresh ginger, dried ginger and stir-frying ginger extracts in blood stasis syndrome. First, a blood stasis syndrome rats model was established and then the hemorheological and blood coagulation activities were analyzed. Third, a sensitive, simple, and valid gas chromatography combined with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOF/MS) method was established to compare the metabolic fingerprint coupled with multivariate analysis. The total 27 metabolites (16 in serum and 11 in urine) were identified and contributed to the blood stasis progress. These metabolites mainly involve six metabolism pathways in different impact-value. The altered efficacy index and metabolites can be regulated to normal levels by fresh ginger (FG), dried ginger (DG) and stir-frying ginger (SG). FG is the most effective as shown by the efficacy index, similarity analysis and peak intensity. The result presented here shows that metabolomics equipped with efficacy index makes it possible to study the blood stasis syndrome and to compare the effect and metabolites in fresh, dried and stir-frying gingers. The metabolomics approach can be recommended to study the pharmacological effect and mechanism of herbal drugs.

The Effect of Ginger Extract on the Incidence and Severity of Nausea and Vomiting After Cesarean Section Under Spinal Anesthesia

Background

Nausea and vomiting are one of the most common complications of cesarean sections under spinal anesthesia. Recently, the use of drugs to treat nausea and vomiting has decreased, and nonpharmaceutical and alternative traditional medicine are often preferred.

Objectives

This study aimed to determine the effect of ginger extract on the incidence and severity of nausea and vomiting after cesarean section under spinal anesthesia.

Methods

In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, 92 pregnant women, each of whom underwent a cesarean section under spinal anesthesia, were divided in two groups: a control group and an intervention group. The intervention group received 25 drops of ginger extract in 30 cc of water, and the control group received 30 cc of water one hour before surgery. The incidence and severity of nausea and vomiting were assessed during the surgery and two and four hours after the surgery using a self-report scale. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software and statistical tests.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of maternal age, duration of fasting, duration of surgery, and confounding factors (P > 0.05). According to an independent t-test, there was a significant relationship between the two groups in terms of the incidence and mean severity score of nausea and vomiting during the cesarean section (P < 0.05). However, no statistically significant relationship was found between the two groups in terms of the incidence and mean severity score of nausea and vomiting two and four hours after surgery (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

The findings of this study showed that ginger extract can be used for the prevention of nausea and vomiting during cesarean section under spinal anesthesia.

Occurrence of ochratoxin A in spices commercialized in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin produced mostly by several species of Aspergillus and Penicillium. OTA is nephrotoxic in all animal species in which it has been tested and is cancerogenic in rodents. It is associated with Balkan endemic nephropathy. It is naturally present in many crop products such as cereals (barley, wheat, maize) and dried fruits, spices, coffee, wine, olives, and cocoa. The aim of this study was to assess the contamination of three Ivoirian spices with OTA (ginger, chili, and pepper) widely consumed by the population. A total of 90 spice samples (ginger: n = 30; chili: n = 30; pepper n = 30) was taken from various sales outlets of Abidjan. OTA was quantified using an HPLC apparatus coupled with a fluorimetric detector. The chili and ginger samples were contaminated with OTA at a mean concentration of 57.48 ± 174 and 0.12 ± 0.15 μg/kg, respectively. No contamination of the pepper samples was detected. Eight (26.67 %) of the chili samples exceeded the maximum limit of 15 μg/kg established by European regulation. These results should serve as an alert on the risk to the consumer population of these products that are highly contaminated with OTA.

The influence of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on human sperm quality and DNA fragmentation: A double-blind randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Although the effectiveness of ginger as an antioxidant agent has been exploited, little human research has been conducted on its activity on male reproductive functions.

OBJECTIVE

This study was designed to investigate the effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) in infertile men.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with a 1:1 allocation was performed on 100 infertility treatment candidates who were admitted to Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, Tehran, Iran. Patients were randomly assigned to receive one of two treatments: ginger and placebo. Patients were given a 3-month oral treatment (members received capsules containing 250 mg of ginger powder twice a day in ginger and a placebo in other group). Before and after treatment, standardized semen samples were obtained to determine sperm concentration, motility, and SDF according to World Health Organization.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between two groups regarding SDF at baseline (53.48. 95%CI: 37.95-69.02) in cases and (56.75, 95%CI: 40.01-73.5) in controls. The average positive percentage of SDF in patients receiving ginger (17.77, 95%CI: 6.16-29.39) was lower compared with placebo (40.54, 95%CI: 23.94-57.13) after three month of treatment (p=0.02). In multivariate analysis, SDF was significantly lower in patients receiving ginger compared with placebo (mean difference: 3.21, 95%CI: 0.78-5.63, p=0.009). There were no significant differences between two groups regarding to semen parameters.

CONCLUSION

The present study has demonstrated that ginger in a controlled study of efficacy was effective in decreasing SDF in infertile men.

In vitro bactericidal activity of promising nutraceuticals for targeting multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the bactericidal activity of nutraceuticals against multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The nutritionally valued herbs were screened on the basis of a matrix modeling approach and molecular docking based validation analysis.

METHODS

The database of 38 herbs developed earlier using fuzzy logic based scoring analysis was subjected to molecular docking based validation. The molecular docking (Hex 6.12) analyses of predominant phytoligands (∼10 per herb) against exoenzyme S of P. aeruginosa filtered potent herbs were selected. The preauthenticated bacterial inoculum (10(8) CFU/mL) was added to the sterile nutrient broth impregnated with standardized aqueous-alcoholic herbal extracts (1-1600 μg/mL). After overnight incubation at 37°C, antibacterial activity was evaluated in terms of minimum inhibitory and minimum bactericidal concentrations.

RESULTS

Five herbs were selected on the basis of fuzzy set scoring, an herbal informatics model, and validation analysis based on energy of docking (i.e., Evalue of 380) phytoligands with maximum scoring obtained by Glycyrrhiza glabra. Among the 5 nutraceuticals, G. glabra showed maximum bactericidal activity significantly (P < 0.05) higher than Amikacin, a standard antibiotic, which was in consonance with in silico bioprospection. Zingiber officinale, despite a low Evalue, showed considerably higher inhibition attributed to its higher flavonoid content as compared to other herbs.

CONCLUSION

G. glabra (licorice), a flavoring agent; Z. officinale (ginger), a condiment; and Mentha piperita (mint), a fragrance component, showed significant therapeutic potential against multidrug resistant strains of P. aeruginosa.

In vitro anti-hydatic and immunomodulatory effects of ginger and [6]-gingerol

OBJECTIVE

To study in vitro anti-hydatic and immunomodulatory effects of ginger and [6]-gingerol as an alternative therapy for cystic echinococcosis.

METHODS

Effect of a commonly used herbal product and ginger (Zingiber officinale) towards protoscoleces (PSC) and cyst wall in vitro was studied. The effect of [6]-gingerol, and the pungent constituent of ginger, was also evaluated on PSC culture. Furthermore, the activity of both extracts in association with interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) on PSC co-cultured with mononuclear cells of hydatic patients was evaluated. The nitric oxide (NO) production was measured in each co-culture.

RESULTS

Ginger exhibited a concentration- and time-dependent cytotoxic effect against PSC and cyst wall. Interestingly, ginger was more effective than the [6]-gingerol. Moreover, additional parasitic effect between extracts and IFN-γ are also observed in co-cultures. Furthermore, both extracts attenuated the NO production elicited by this infection or by the IFN-γ.

CONCLUSIONS

Ginger has an important anti-hydatic effect in vitro. This effect is amplified in the presence of IFN-γ. Moreover, this herbal product may protect against host's cell death by reducing the high levels of NO. Ginger may act, at least, through the [6]-gingerol. All our data suggest the promising use of ginger in the treatment of Echinococcus granulosus infection.

Ginger augmented chemotherapy: A novel multitarget nontoxic approach for cancer management

Cancer, referred to as the 'disease of civilization', continues to haunt humanity due to its dreadful manifestations and limited success of therapeutic interventions such as chemotherapy in curing the disease. Although effective, chemotherapy has repeatedly demonstrated inadequacy in disease management due to its debilitating side effects arising from its deleterious nonspecific effects on normal healthy cells. In addition, development of chemoresistance due to mono-targeting often results in cessation of chemotherapy. This urgently demands development and implementation of multitargeted alternative therapies with mild or no side effects. One extremely promising strategy that yet remains untapped in the clinic is augmenting chemotherapy with dietary phytochemicals or extracts. Ginger, depository of numerous bioactive molecules, not only targets cancer cells but can also mitigate chemotherapy-associated side effects. Consequently, combination therapy involving ginger extract and chemotherapeutic agents may offer the advantage of being efficacious with reduced toxicity. Here we discuss the remarkable and often overlooked potential of ginger extract to manage cancer, the possibility of developing ginger-based combinational therapies, and the major roadblocks along with strategies to overcome them in clinical translation of such inventions. We are optimistic that clinical implementation of such combination regimens would be a much sought after modality in cancer management.

In vitro effectiveness of Curcuma longa and Zingiber officinale extracts on Echinococcus protoscoleces

Hydatid disease is an important economic and human public health problem with a wide geographical distribution. Surgical excision remains the primary treatment and the only hope for complete cure of hydatosis. The most important complications arising from surgical excision, however, is recurrence, which is due to dissemination of protoscolices during the surgery. Pre-surgical inactivation of the contents of the hydatid cyst by injection of scolicidal agent into the cyst has been used as adjunct to surgery in order to overcome the risk of recurrence. In the present study, ethanolic extracts of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and ginger (Zingiber officinale) were tested as scolicidal agent for Echinococcus protoscoleces. Protoscoleces were collected aseptically from sheep livers containing hydatid cysts. Three concentrations (10, 30 and 50 mg/ml) of each extract were investigated and viability of the protoscoleces was tested by 0.1% eosin staining. Ginger extract showed the strongest scolicidal effect (100%) after 20 min at a concentration of 30 mg/ml and 10 min at 50 mg/ml. The maximum scolicidal effect of turmeric was 93.2% after 30 min at a concentration of 50 mg/ml. It is concluded that turmeric and ginger extracts have high scolicidal activity and could be used as effective scolicidal agents against Echinococcus protoscoleces.

Non-pharmacological treatment of Helicobacter pylori

Many food and plant extracts have shown in vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) activity, but are less effective in vivo. The anti-H. pylori effects of these extracts are mainly permeabilitization of the membrane, anti-adhesion, inhibition of bacterial enzymes and bacterial grown. We, herein, review treatment effects of cranberry, garlic, curcumin, ginger and pistacia gum against H. pylori in both in vitro, animal studies and in vivo studies.

The Prophylactic Effect of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) on Ethanol-Induced Reproductive Toxicity in Male Rats

BACKGROUND

Ginger is a natural dietary component with antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties. This study was conducted to evaluate the prophylactic effect of ginger extract on ethanol-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats by measuring the total homocysteine (tHcy), trace elements, antioxidant enzymes activity including glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase, and malondialdehyde (MDA).

METHODS

Twenty-eight adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four experimental groups and treated daily for 28 days as follows: control, control+ginger (1 g/kg of body weight (B.W)/day by gavage), test group (ethanol 4 g/kg of B.W/day by gavage), and treated group (ethanol+ginger). At the end of the experiment, all the rats were sacrificed and their testes were removed and used for the measurement of the above factors.

RESULTS

The results in the test group indicated that ethanol decreased antioxidant enzymes activity and increased MDA and tHcy compared with the control groups (P<0.05). In the treated group, ginger extract improved antioxidant enzymes activity and reduced tHcy and MDA level compared with the test group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

It can be concluded that ethanol causes oxidative stress in testis and ginger extract improves the trace elements, antioxidant enzymes activity, and decreases tHcy and MDA.

Comparison of different drying methods on Chinese ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe): Changes in volatiles, chemical profile, antioxidant properties, and microstructure

Nowadays, food industry is facing challenges in preserving better quality of fruit and vegetable products after processing. Recently, many attentions have been drawn to ginger rhizome processing due to its numerous health promoting properties. In our study, ginger rhizome slices were subjected to air-drying (AD), freeze drying (FD), infrared drying (IR), microwave drying (MD) and intermittent microwave & convective drying (IM&CD). Quality attributes of the dried samples were compared in terms of volatile compounds, 6, 8, 10-gingerols, 6-shogaol, antioxidant activities and microstructure. Results showed that AD and IR were good drying methods to preserve volatiles. FD, IR and IM&CD led to higher retention of gingerols, TPC, TFC and better antioxidant activities. However, FD and IR had relative high energy consumption and drying time. Therefore, considering about the quality retention and energy consumption, IM&CD would be very promising for thermo sensitive material.

Role of serotonin and nuclear factor-kappa B in the ameliorative effect of ginger on acetic acid-induced colitis

The current study was designed to investigate the role of serotonin (5-HT) and nuclear factor-kappa beta (NF-κB) in the ameliorative effect of ginger on acetic acid (AA)-induced colitis rat model. Colitis was induced by intra-colonic instillation of 3% AA, preceded or followed by daily administration of ginger (400mg/kg) by gavage for 5 days. Colons were assessed macroscopically and microscopically and the expression of NF-κB was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Colonic tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), total peroxide (TP), and serum 5-HT levels were assessed. Administration of ginger ameliorated the effects of AA-induced colitis by plummeting colon weight-to-length ratio, macroscopic and microscopic scores. These effects were further supported by down-regulation of NF-κB and reduction of colonic TNF-α, IL-10, TP and serum 5-HT levels. Moreover, there were significant positive correlations between serum 5-HT and macroscopic, microscopic, immunoreactivity scores and colonic TNF-α level. In conclusion, ginger ameliorated AA-induced colitis not only through its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties, but also through the reduction of 5-HT which may contribute to the down-regulation of NF-κB-dependent TNF-α expression and the reduction of lipid peroxidation and tissue damage. In addition, the therapeutic effect of ginger was more pronounced than its preventive effect.

Effects of Ginger on Serum Lipids and Lipoproteins in Peritoneal Dialysis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial

♦

BACKGROUND

In peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, one of the major risk factors for cardiovascular disease is lipid abnormalities. This study was designed to investigate the effects of ginger supplementation on serum lipids and lipoproteins in PD patients. ♦

METHODS

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 36 PD patients were randomly assigned to either the ginger or the placebo group. The patients in the ginger group received 1,000 mg ginger daily for 10 weeks, while the placebo group received corresponding placebos. At baseline and at the end of week 10, 7 mL of blood were obtained from each patient after a 12- to 14-hour fast, and serum concentrations of triglyceride, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and lipoprotein (a) [Lp (a)] were measured. ♦

RESULTS

Serum triglyceride concentration decreased significantly up to 15% in the ginger group at the end of week 10 compared with baseline (p < 0.01), and the reduction was significant in comparison with the placebo group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in mean changes of serum total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, and Lp (a). ♦

CONCLUSION

This study indicates that daily administration of 1,000 mg ginger reduces serum triglyceride concentration, which is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, in PD patients.

Chemical characterization and antioxidant activities comparison in fresh, dried, stir-frying and carbonized ginger

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) is a common dietary adjunct that contributes to the taste and flavor of foods, and is also an important Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Different processing methods can produce different processed gingers with dissimilar chemical constituents and pharmacological activities. In this study, an ultra-performance liquid chromatography/quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC/QTOF-MS) was applied to identify the complicated components from fresh, dried, stir-frying and carbonized ginger extracts. All of the 27 compounds were identified from four kinds of ginger samples (fresh, dried, stir-frying and carbonized ginger). Five main constituents (zingerone, 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, 6-shogaol and 10-gingerol) in these four kinds of ginger sample extracts were simultaneously determined by UPLC-PDA. Meanwhile, the antioxidant effect of fresh, dried, stir-frying and carbonized gingers were evaluated by three assays (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzthiazolinesulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP)). The results demonstrated that antioxidant activity of dried ginger was the highest, for its phenolic contents are 5.2-, 1.1- and 2.4-fold higher than that of fresh, stir-frying and carbonized ginger, respectively, the antioxidant activities' results indicated a similar tendency with phenolic contents: dried ginger>stir-frying ginger>fresh ginger>carbonized ginger. The processing contributed to the decreased concentration of gingerols and the increased levels of shogaols, which reducing the antioxidant effects in pace with processing. This study elucidated the relationship of the heating process with the constituents and antioxidant activity, and provided a guide for choosing different kinds of ginger samples on clinical application.

Protective Effects of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) Extract against Diabetes-Induced Heart Abnormality in Rats

BACKGROUND

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is an important causal factor in morbidity and mortality among diabetic patients, and currently, no effective means are available to reverse its pathological progress. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of ginger extract on apolipoproteins (apo) A and B, hyperhomocysteinemia, cathepsin G and leptin changes, as well as cardiac fibrosis and heart muscle cell proliferation under hyperglycemic conditions in vivo.

METHODS

Twenty-four male Wistar rats were divided into three groups, namely: control, non-treated diabetic, and ginger extract-treated diabetic groups. The ginger extract-treated diabetic group received a 50 mg daily dose of ginger extract intragastrically for 6 weeks.

RESULTS

The results revealed concurrent significant increases in plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), homocysteine (Hcy), cathepsin G and apoB levels and decreases in apoA and leptin levels in the non-treated diabetic group compared to the control group. Moreover, heart structural changes, including fibrosis and heart muscle cell proliferation, were observed in non-treated diabetic rats compared to the control rats. Significant amelioration of changes in the heart structure together with restoration of the elevated levels of Hcy and CRP, leptin, cathepsin G, and apoA and B were found in the ginger extract-treated diabetic group compared to the non-treated diabetic group.

CONCLUSION

The findings indicated that ginger extract significantly reduces heart structural abnormalities in diabetic rats and that these effects might be associated with improvements in serum apo, leptin, cathepsin G, and Hcy levels and with the antioxidant properties of ginger extract.

Evaluation of the efficacy of a polyherbal mouthwash containing Zingiber officinale, Rosmarinus officinalis and Calendula officinalis extracts in patients with gingivitis: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Gingivitis is a highly prevalent periodontal disease resulting from microbial infection and subsequent inflammation. The efficacy of herbal preparations in subjects with gingivitis has been reported in some previous studies.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the efficacy of a polyherbal mouthwash containing hydroalcoholic extracts of Zingiber officinale, Rosmarinus officinalis and Calendula officinalis (5% v/w) compared with chlorhexidine and placebo mouthwashes in subjects with gingivitis.

METHODS

Sixty patients participated in this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial and were randomly assigned to the polyherbal mouthwash (n = 20), chlorhexidine mouthwash (n = 20) or placebo mouthwash (n = 20). Participants were instructed to use the mouthwash twice a day (after breakfast and dinner) for 30 s for a period of two weeks. Gingival and plaque indices were assessed using MGI, GBI and MQH scales at baseline, day 7 and day 14 of the trial.

RESULTS

There were significant improvements in all assessed efficacy measures i.e. MGI, GBI and MQH scores from baseline to the end of trial in both polyherbal and chlorhexidine mouthwash groups; however, the scores remained statistically unchanged in the placebo group. MGI, BGI and MQH scores in the treatment groups were significantly lower compared with those of the control group at both day 7 and day 14 of the trial. However, there was no significant difference between the polyherbal and chlorhexidine groups, neither at day 7 nor day 14 of the trial. Polyherbal mouthwash was safe and there was neither report of adverse reactions, nor any drop-out during the course of study.

CONCLUSION

Polyherbal mouthwash containing hydroalcoholic extracts of Z. officinale, R. officinalis and C. officinalis (5%) was effective in the treatment of gingivitis and its efficacy was comparable to that of chlorhexidine mouthwash.

Ginger Supplementation in Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common chronic liver diseases worldwide. The pathogenesis of this disease is closely associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Ginger can have hypolipidemic and antioxidant effects, and act as an insulinsensitizer.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ginger supplementation in NAFLD management.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 44 patients with NAFLD were assigned to take either two grams per day of a ginger supplement or the identical placebo, for 12 weeks. In both groups, patients were advised to follow a modified diet and physical activity program. The metabolic parameters and indicators of liver damage were measured at study baseline and after the 12 week intervention.

RESULTS

Ginger supplementation resulted in a significant reduction in alanine aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transferase, inflammatory cytokines, as well as the insulin resistance index and hepatic steatosis grade in comparison to the placebo. We did not find any significant effect of taking ginger supplements on hepatic fibrosis and aspartate aminotransferase.

CONCLUSIONS

Twelve weeks of two grams of ginger supplementation showed beneficial effects on some NAFLD characteristics. Further studies are recommended to assess the long-term supplementation effects.

Identification and analysis of miRNAs and their targets in ginger using bioinformatics approach

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a large family of endogenous small RNAs derived from the non-protein coding genes. miRNA regulates the gene expression at the post-transcriptional level and plays an important role in plant development. Zingiber officinale is an important medicinal plant having numerous therapeutic properties. Its bioactive compound gingerol and essential oil posses important pharmacological and physiological activities. In this study, we used a homology search based computational approach for identifying miRNAs in Z. officinale. A total of 16 potential miRNA families (miR167, miR407, miR414, miR5015, miR5021, miR5644, miR5645, miR5656, miR5658, miR5664, miR827, miR838, miR847, miR854, miR862 and miR864) were predicted in ginger. Phylogenetic and conserved analyses were performed for predicted miRNAs. Thirteen miRNA families were found to regulate 300 target transcripts and play an important role in cell signaling, reproduction, metabolic process and stress. To understand the miRNA mediated gene regulatory control and to validate miRNA target predictions, a biological network was also constructed. Gene ontology and pathway analyses were also done. miR5015 was observed to regulate the biosynthesis of gingerol by inhibiting phenyl ammonia lyase (PAL), a precursor enzyme in the biosynthesis of gingerol. Our results revealed that most of the predicted miRNAs were involved in the regulation of rhizome development. miR5021, miR854 and miR838 were identified to regulate the rhizome development and the essential oil biosynthesis in ginger.

Ameliorative potential of gingerol: Promising modulation of inflammatory factors and lipid marker enzymes expressions in HFD induced obesity in rats

Obesity, generally linked to hyperlipidemia, has been occurring of late with distressing alarm and has now become a global phenomenon casting a huge economic burden on the health care system of countries around the world. The present study investigated the effects of gingerol over 30 days on the changes in HFD-induced obese rats in marker enzymes of lipid metabolism such as fatty-acid synthase (FAS), Acetyl CoA Carboxylase (ACC), Carnitine Palmitoyl Transferase-1(CPT-1), HMG co-A Reductase (HMGR), Lecithin Choline Acyl Transferase (LCAT) and Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL) and inflammatory markers (TNF-α and IL-6). The rats were treated orally with gingerol (75 mg kg(-1)) once daily for 30 days with a lorcaserin-treated group (10 mg kg(-1)) included for comparison. Changes in body weight, glucose, insulin resistance and expressions of lipid marker enzymes and inflammatory markers in tissues were observed in experimental rats. The administration of gingerol resulted in a significant reduction in body weight gain, glucose and insulin levels, and insulin resistance, which altered the activity, expressions of lipid marker enzymes and inflammatory markers. It showed that gingerol had significantly altered these parameters when compared with HFD control rats. This study confirms that gingerol prevents HFD-induced hyperlipidemia by modulating the expression of enzymes important to cholesterol metabolism.

Prevention of allergic rhinitis by ginger and the molecular basis of immunosuppression by 6-gingerol through T cell inactivation

The incidence of allergies has recently been increasing worldwide. Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated hypersensitivity is central to the pathogenesis of asthma, hay fever and other allergic diseases. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and its extracts have been valued for their medical properties including antinausea, antiinflammation, antipyresis and analgesia properties. In this study, we investigated the antiallergic effects of ginger and 6-gingerol, a major compound of ginger, using a mouse allergy model and primary/cell line culture system. In mice with ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis, oral administration of 2% ginger diet reduced the severity of sneezing and nasal rubbing by nasal sensitization of OVA and suppressed infiltration of mast cells in nasal mucosa and secretion of OVA-specific IgE in serum. 6-Gingerol inhibited the expression of not only Th2 cytokines but also Th1 cytokines in OVA-sensitized spleen cells. Accordingly, 6-gingerol suppressed in vitro differentiation of both Th1 cells and Th2 cells from naïve T cells. In addition, 6-gingerol suppressed both superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB)- and anti-CD3-induced T cell proliferation. 6-Gingerol also abrogated PMA plus ionomycin- and SEB-induced IL-2 production in T cells, suggesting that 6-gingerol affected T cell receptor-mediated signal transduction rather than the antigen-presentation process. Indeed, 6-gingerol inhibited the phosphorylation of MAP kinases, calcium release and nuclear localization of c-fos and NF-κB by PMA and ionomycin stimulation. Thus, our results demonstrate that 6-gingerol suppresses cytokine production for T cell activation and proliferation, thereby not causing B cell and mast cell activation and resulting in prevention or alleviation of allergic rhinitis symptoms.

Protocols for In Vitro Propagation, Conservation, Synthetic Seed Production, Embryo Rescue, Microrhizome Production, Molecular Profiling, and Genetic Transformation in Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe.)

Ginger is a rhizomatous plant that belongs to the family Zingiberaceae. It is a herbaceous perennial but cultivated as annual, with crop duration of 7-10 months. Ginger is native to India and Tropical South Asia. The tuberous rhizomes or underground stems of ginger are used as condiment, an aromatic stimulant, and food preservative as well as in traditional medicine. Ginger is propagated vegetatively with rhizome bits as seed material. Cultivation of ginger is plagued by rhizome rot diseases, most of which are mainly spread through infected seed rhizomes. Micropropagation will help in production of disease-free planting material. Sexual reproduction is absent in ginger, making recombinant breeding very impossible. In vitro technology can thus become the preferred choice as it can be utilized for multiplication, conservation of genetic resources, generating variability, gene transfer, molecular tagging, and their utility in crop improvement of these crops.

Comparison of ginger with vitamin B6 in relieving nausea and vomiting during pregnancy

Background:

Nausea and vomiting are the most common complicated issues in pregnancy period, but they have not been paid much attention. Herb based formulations can be effectively used for the treatment nausea and vomiting observed during pregnancy.

Aim:

To investigate the effect of ginger in nausea and vomiting during pregnancy in comparison with vitamin B6 and placebo.

Materials and Methods:

This is a randomized and double-blind clinical trial. The women who had nausea and vomiting and did not take any medications were included in this study. 120 women were selected by simple random sampling method, and divided into three groups and were given vitamin B6, placebo, and ginger, respectively. 97 women completed the treatment. They were given treatment for 4 days and were followed after a week. The instrument used in this study was a questionnaire, including demographic characteristic and determining severity nausea and vomiting based on the analog visual scale. Data were analyzed with SPSS software and t-test and Kruskal-Wallis test.

Results:

There was significant difference between groups in severity of nausea and frequency of vomiting (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Ginger was effective in treating nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, but its use needs further studies to determine the proper dosage and the confirmation about the safety of this drug for a pregnant mother and her fetus.

Cinnamon users with prediabetes have a better fasting working memory: a cross-sectional function study

Working memory (WM) is impaired in prediabetes. We hypothesized that culinary herbs and spices may decrease insulin resistance (IR) and improve WM in prediabetes. Healthy people aged ≥60 years with prediabetes (fasting blood glucose 100-125 mg/dL) (47 men and 46 women) whose food and culinary herb intakes were established with a food frequency questionnaire had body composition assessed and fasting glucose and insulin measured. Working memory and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) were assessed on the same occasion. The contributions to associations between WM and diet, body fat, and IR were estimated by linear regression. Compared with nonusers, cinnamon users had significantly less frequent physical activity (2.9 vs. 4.4 times per week) and more often used fresh ginger (93.3% vs. 64.1%) and ginger in cooking (60.0% vs. 32.1%). Cinnamon users also had a better WM (2.9 vs. 2.5, P < .001). Cinnamon had a significant effect (users were 0.446 higher), but not ginger or curry usage, in predicting WM. For sociodemographic variables, only education (years) was significant in predicting WM (β = 0.065). Other significant determinants of WM were total fat mass (kilograms) (β = -0.024) and MMSE (β = 0.075). After adjustment for age and sex, cinnamon use, education, and MMSE remained significant individual predictors. In the final model, in which all variables listed were adjusted simultaneously, cinnamon users still had a significantly higher WM than nonusers. Cinnamon usage is associated with a better WM, not accounted for by dietary quality or IR, in untreated prediabetes.