Analysis of chemical properties of edible and medicinal ginger by metabolomics approach

Effect of subcritical water temperature on the chain conformation and immune activity of ginger polysaccharides

In this study, the ginger polysaccharides extracted from hot water (HW-G) were modified with subcritical water (SW-G) to effectively regulate their immune activity, and the relationship between polysaccharide chain conformation and immune activity at different subcritical water temperatures was investigated. The results indicated that, compared with HW-G, the xylose and mannose were degraded at high temperatures. The molecular weight of ginger polysaccharide decreased from 1.083 × 106 g/mol to 3.113 × 105 g/mol after subcritical water modification (100-160 °C). The chain conformation transitioned from rigid rod chain to semi-rigid chain and eventually to random coil. The degree of relaxation of the polysaccharide chains showed a continuous increase trend. Additionally, ginger polysaccharide modified by subcritical water at 130 °C was found to promote the proliferation and phagocytosis of 264.7 cells more obviously and signally increase the secretion levels of NO, IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β. When the subcritical water temperature exceeds 130 °C, the activity of ginger polysaccharide begins to decline rapidly. These findings demonstrate a close correlation between polysaccharide chain conformation and immunomodulatory activity, confirming the feasibility of the subcritical water temperature effect as a means of immune activity regulation, which opens up a new approach to obtaining highly active polysaccharides.

Comparative Study of Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Cytotoxic Potentials, and Phytochemicals of Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) and Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Trigonella foenum-graecum and Zingiber officinale are used as traditional medicinal plants for the treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases. However, a comparative analysis and bioactivities of T. foenum-graecum and Z. officinale lack some necessary information for therapeutic purposes. This study was designed to evaluate the biochemical characterizations and biological efficacy of T. foenum-graecum and Z. officinale as antioxidant, antidiabetic, antiamnesic, and cytotoxic agents. Antioxidant activity was determined by DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Antidiabetic potentials were evaluated by glycation, alpha-amylase, and acetylcholinesterase inhibition assays. We performed biochemical characterization through analyses of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy). Results revealed that total phenolic contents (TPCs) (g GAE/100 g) of T. foenum-graecum and Z. officinale were 5.74 ± 0.81 g and 6.15 ± 0.06 g, respectively, and total flavonoid contents (TFCs) varied from 1.51 ± 0.58 g CE/100 g to 17.54 ± 0.58. DPPH scavenging potentials of T. foenum-graecum and Z. officinale extract were 50.27% and 88.82%, respectively. Antiglycation potentials of T. foenum-graecum and Z. officinale showed a maximum activity at 16–29% and 96%. Alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase inhibition ranged from 9.43–24.95 and 10.52–27.89 and 54.97%, respectively. All the test samples of T. foenum-graecum and Z. officinale showed acetylcholinesterase inhibition potential at 0.37–46.88%. HPLC analysis of T. foenum-graecum revealed the presence of quercetin, gallic acid, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, syringic acid, and cumeric acid, while Z. officinale revealed the quercetin, gallic acid, vanillic acid, benzoic acid, chlorogenic acid, p.Coumaric acid, ferulic acid, and cinnamic acid. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of aldehydes, ketones, aromatic compounds, amines, and carbonyl groups in T. foenum-graecum, while alcohol, alkane, alkene, ketone, amine, and ether are bioactives present in the methanolic extract of Z. officinale. It was concluded that a comparative analysis of T. foenum-graecum and Z. officinale showed that Z. officinale showed higher therapeutic effects.

The mechanism of ginger and its processed products in the treatment of estradiol valerate coupled with oxytocin-induced dysmenorrhea in mice via regulating the TRP ion channel-mediated ERK1/2/NF-κB signaling pathway

Ginger (Rhizoma zingiberis, RZ) has been used as a food, spice, supplement, flavoring agent, and as an edible herbal medicine. It is characterized by its pungency and aroma, and is rich in nutrients with remarkable pharmacological effects. It is used in traditional medicine clinics to treat diseases and symptoms, such as colds, headache, and primary dysmenorrhea (PD). In China, a variety of processed products of RZ are used as herbal medicines, such as baked ginger (BG) or ginger charcoal (GC) to treat different diseases and symptoms. However, the molecular mechanism of the therapeutic effect of RZ and its processed products (RZPPs, including BG or GC) against PD has not been well characterized. Moreover, whether the transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels are involved in this process is not clear. In the present study, UHPLC-Q-TOF MS was adopted to analyse the differential quality markers (DQMs) between RZ and RZPPs. In addition, differential metabolomics (DMs) was acquired between RZ- and RZPPs-treated estradiol valerate coupled with an oxytocin-induced PD mouse uterus using untargeted metabolomics (UM). A correlation analysis between DQMs and DMs was also conducted. Benzenoids, lipids, and lipid-like molecules were the main DQMs between RZ and RZPPs. RZ and RZPPs were found to improve the pathological status of the uterus of a PD mouse, with significantly decreased serum levels of E2, PGF2α, TXB2 and remarkably increased levels of PROG and 6-keto-PGF1α. Moreover, RZ and RZPPs alleviated PD in mice via regulating the TRP ion channel-mediated ERK1/2/NF-κB signaling pathway. Our results indicate that the therapeutic effect of RZ and RZPPs against PD may be mediated by regulating the TRP ion channel-mediated ERK1/2/NF-κB signaling pathway, and provide a reference for the development of new dietary supplements or medicines.

UPLC-HRMS Polyphenolic Characterization, Contents and Antioxidant Activity of Zingiber officinale Roscoe rhizomes from Costa Rica

Zingiber officinale Roscoe rhizomes have been associated with multiple health benefits, such as blocking blood clotting, digestive and antinausea effects and aid in respiratory conditions. These effects have been linked with their polyphenolic main metabolites, gingerols and shogaols. Herewith, we report a detailed study on the polyphenolic profile and in the contents of main gingerols and shogaol as well as the antioxidant activity of extracts from Z. officinale rhizomes (n = 17) produced in Costa Rica. Using UPLC-QTOF-ESI MS, a total of 34 polyphenols were identified, grouped in 12 types of structures. In addition, our findings on the main metabolites using UPLC-DAD show all rhizomes complying with total gingerols (TG) content established by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP). At an individual level, samples SR-1 and NR-4 show the higher contents and also exhibit the highest Folin–Ciocalteu (FC) reducing capacity results as well as the best DPPH antioxidant values. In addition, Pearson correlation analysis results showed positive correlation (p < 0.05) between TG and 6-gingerol with FC results and negative correlation (p < 0.05) between 6-gingerol, TG and FC with DPPH results. In turn, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated variability in the composition associated with their region of origin and confirmed that NR-3, NR-4, and especially SR-1 stand out significatively, showing the highest PC1 because of its particularly high TG, 6-gingerol and antioxidant activities. Finally, results from controlled experimental plots of Z. officinale rhizomes (n = 6) indicated influence on metabolites content with higher values for a shorter harvest time and high tunnel cultivation. Therefore, our findings indicate the value of Z. officinale in the elaboration of products with potential benefits for health, delivering extracts with higher levels of gingerols than previous reports and exhibiting high antioxidant activity.

Potential Role of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) in the Prevention of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Ginger is composed of multiple bioactive compounds, including 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol, 10-gingerol, gingerdiones, gingerdiols, paradols, 6-dehydrogingerols, 5-acetoxy-6-gingerol, 3,5-diacetoxy-6-gingerdiol, and 12-gingerol, that contribute to its recognized biological activities. Among them, the major active compounds are 6-shogaol and 6-gingerol. Scientific evidence supports the beneficial properties of ginger, including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities and in contrast, a specific and less studied bioactivity is the possible neuroprotective effect. The increase in life expectancy has raised the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), which present common neuropathological features as increased oxidative stress, neuroinflammation and protein misfolding. The structure-activity relationships of ginger phytochemicals show that ginger can be a candidate to treat NDs by targeting different ligand sites. Its bioactive compounds may improve neurological symptoms and pathological conditions by modulating cell death or cell survival signaling molecules. The cognitive enhancing effects of ginger might be partly explained via alteration of both the monoamine and the cholinergic systems in various brain areas. Moreover, ginger decreases the production of inflammatory related factors. The aim of the present review is to summarize the effects of ginger in the prevention of major neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis.

Plant-Based Support of Respiratory Health during Viral Outbreaks

Respiratory viruses are linked to major epidemic events that have plagued humans through recorded history and possibly much earlier, ranging from common colds, influenza, and coronavirus infections to measles. However, difficulty in developing effective pharmaceutical solutions to treat infected individuals has hindered efforts to manage and minimize respiratory viral outbreaks and the associated mortality. Here we highlight a series of botanical interventions with different and often overlapping putative mechanisms of action to support the respiratory system, for which the bioactive pharmacophore was suggested and the initial structure-activity relationships have been explored (Bupleurum spp., Glycyrrhiza spp., Andrographis spp.), have been proposed with uncertainty (Echinacea spp., Zingiber spp., Verbascum spp., Marrubium spp.), or remained to be elucidated (Sambucus spp., Urtica spp.). Investigating these metabolites and their botanical sources holds potential to uncover new mediators of the respiratory health outcomes as well as molecular targets for future break-through therapeutic interventions targeting respiratory viral outbreaks.

An integrative method based on UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS combined with metabolomics to authenticate Isodon rubescens

Genuine regional drugs have played a vital role in clinical use for a long time. There are differences in traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) from different regions based on their chemical composition. Differences in chemical composition may lead to deviations in therapeutic effects. To our knowledge, to date, there are no effective methods for distinguishing genuine regional drugs based on the differences in their chemical composition. Therefore, establishing an analytical platform for distinguishing the compounds used in TCM from various geographical locations is essential. In this work, an integrated platform based on UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS combined with plant metabolomics approach was established for comprehensively distinguishing genuine regional drugs. Isodon rubescens (Hemsl.) Hara, a widely used herbal medicine of China, was chosen for this study and 24 samples from four geographical locations in China were collected. A total of 60 ent-kaurane diterpenoids were tentatively identified, and then the samples from four geographical origins were distinguished using PCA (principal component analysis) and PLS-DA (partial least squares discrimination analysis). Different compounds were identified among the samples collected from the four geographical locations, and 12 of them were regarded as marker compounds responsible for the distinction. Our study highlights the essence and predictive ability of metabolomics in detecting minute differences in the same varieties of TCM samples based on the levels and compositions of their metabolites. These results showed that the analysis using UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS combined with metabolomics could be applied to distinguish the geographical origins and varieties of TCM.

Qualitative analysis on chemical constituents from different polarity extracted fractions of the pulp and peel of ginger rhizomes by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

Ginger pulp is the dried rhizome scraped off the skin which originates from Zingiber officinale Rosc., a Zingiberaceae plant. Ginger peel is the dried rhizome skin of Zingiber officinale Rosc. (Zingiberaceae). The present work aims to investigate the different chemical constituents that are related to the medicinal properties of the ginger pulp and ginger peel.

METHODS

A rapid ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC/ESI-QTOF/MS) method was developed for qualitative analysis of the constituents in different polarity extracted fractions of the pulp and peel of ginger rhizomes.

RESULTS

A total of 83 compounds were identified from the pulp and peel of ginger rhizomes, including 36 diarylheptanoids, 25 gingerols and 22 other compounds. Nine of these were new compounds. In total, 46, 27, 65 and 51 compounds were identified from the crude extract, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol fractions of the ginger pulp, respectively, and 60, 30, 70 and 62 compounds were identified from the crude extract, petroleum ether, ethyl acetate, n-butanol fractions of the ginger peel, respectively. Each identified compound is marked on the corresponding chromatogram.

CONCLUSIONS

The integrated method is sensitive and reliable for searching the different chemical constituents from different polarity extracted fractions of the ginger pulp and ginger peel. This work may provide a significant contribution to research into the medicinal properties of the ginger pulp and ginger peel.

Metabolomics of ginger based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry technology

Objectives

Dried ginger and ginger are the same type of medicine and food. The differential components of ginger and dried ginger, dried ginger and ginger charcoal were investigated.

Materials and Methods

The experimental materials were divided into three sample groups: the ginger group, dried ginger group, and ginger charcoal group. The ginger group, dried ginger group, and ginger charcoal group were qualitatively analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The data were processed by Marker View Software. Principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least-square discriminant analysis were performed with SIMCA 13.0 Software. The differential components of the ginger and dried ginger groups as well as the dried ginger and ginger charcoal groups with a variable importance in the projection &gt; 2 (P &lt; 0.05) were identified with PeakView 1.2 Software.

Results

Ten differential components, including 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, and 10-gingerol, were identified between the ginger group and dried ginger group; 13 differential components, including 6-shogaol, 10-gingerol, and zingiberone, were identified between the dried ginger group and ginger charcoal group.

Conclusions

The main differential components between the ginger and dried ginger groups and the dried ginger and ginger charcoal groups were gingerols and diphenylheptanes. Based on metabolomics analysis of the chemical composition of ginger’s medicinal materials, effects, and other related factors, it is recommended that 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol, and zingiberone should be used as indicative components for the respective quality evaluation of ginger, dried ginger and ginger charcoal. The results of this study may provide a basis for the reasonable quality evaluation of ginger medicinal materials.

Vasculoprotective effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) and underlying molecular mechanisms

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is a common and widely used spice. It is rich in various chemical constituents, including phenolic compounds, terpenes, polysaccharides, lipids, organic acids, and raw fibers. Herein, we reviewed its effects on the vascular system. Studies utilizing cell cultures or animal models showed that ginger constituents alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation, increase nitric oxide synthesis, suppress vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, promote cholesterol efflux from macrophages, inhibit angiogenesis, block voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels, and induce autophagy. In clinical trials, ginger was shown to have a favorable effect on serum lipids, inflammatory cytokines, blood pressure, and platelet aggregation. Taken together, these studies point to the potential benefits of ginger and its constituents in the treatment of hypertension, coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial diseases, and other vascular diseases.

Zingiber officinale Roscoe Prevents DNA Damage and Improves Muscle Performance and Bone Integrity in Old Sprague Dawley Rats

Age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength or sarcopenia is attributed to the high level of oxidative stress and inadequate nutritional intake. The imbalance in oxidative status with increased production of free radicals results in damage to the DNA which leads to cell dysfunction. This study aimed to determine the effect of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (ginger) on muscle performance and bone integrity in Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. SD rats aged three (young), nine (adult), and twenty-one (old) months old were treated with either distilled water or ginger extract at a concentration of 200 mg/kg body weight (BW) daily for 3 months via oral gavage. Muscle performance was assessed at 0, 1, 2, and 3 months of treatment by measuring muscle strength, muscle function, and bone integrity while DNA damage was determined by comet assay. Muscle cell histology was analyzed by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Young and adult ginger-treated rats showed a significant improvement in muscle strength after 3 months of supplementation. Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) were increased while fat free mass (FMM) was decreased after 3 months of ginger supplementation in young rats but not changed in adult and old ginger supplemented groups. Interestingly, supplementation of ginger for 3 months to the old rats decreased the level of damaged DNA. Histological findings showed reduction in the size of muscle fibre and fascicles with heterogenous morphology of the muscle fibres indicating sarcopenia was evident in old rats. Treatment with ginger extract improved the histological changes even though there was evidence of cellular infiltration (mild inflammation) and dilated blood vessels. In conclusion, Z. officinale Roscoe prevents DNA damage and improves muscle performance and bone integrity in SD rats indicating its potential in alleviating oxidative stress in ageing and thus delaying sarcopenia progression.

Zingiber Officinale Roscoe Prevents Cellular Senescence of Myoblasts in Culture and Promotes Muscle Regeneration

Background

Ageing resulted in a progressive loss of muscle mass and strength. Increased oxidative stress in ageing affects the capacity of the myoblast to differentiate leading to impairment of muscle regeneration. Zingiber officinale Roscoe (ginger) has potential benefits in reversing muscle ageing due to its antioxidant property. This study aimed to determine the effect of ginger in the prevention of cellular senescence and promotion of muscle regeneration.

Methods

Myoblast cells were cultured into young and senescent state before treated with different concentrations of ginger standardised extracts containing different concentrations of 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol. Analysis on cellular morphology and myogenic purity was carried out besides determination of SA-β-galactosidase expression and cell cycle profile. Myoblast differentiation was quantitated by determining the fusion index, maturation index, and myotube size.

Results

Treatment with ginger extracts resulted in improvement of cellular morphology of senescent myoblasts which resembled the morphology of young myoblasts. Our results also showed that ginger treatment caused a significant reduction in SA-β-galactosidase expression on senescent myoblasts indicating prevention of cellular senescence, while cell cycle analysis showed a significant increase in the percentage of cells in the G₀/G₁ phase and reduction in the S-phase cells. Increased myoblast regenerative capacity was observed as shown by the increased number of nuclei per myotube, fusion index, and maturation index.

Conclusions

Ginger extracts exerted their potency in promoting muscle regeneration as indicated by prevention of cellular senescence and promotion of myoblast regenerative capacity.

A comparison of a polysaccharide extracted from ginger (Zingiber officinale) stems and leaves using different methods: preparation, structure characteristics, and biological activities

This study investigates how extraction method impacts the yield, chemical composition, structure characteristics, hypoglycemic and antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) stems and leaves (GSLP). Four extraction methods were employed to obtain the GSLP, including hot water extraction (HWE), ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), alkaline solution extraction (ASE), and enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE). The data showed that ASE produced highest extraction yield compared to the other extraction methods. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that GSLP microstructures were greatly influenced by extraction method. Moreover, in vitro hypoglycemic activity and antioxidant activity experiments demonstrated that the biological capacities of ASE-GSLP were superior to GSLPs extracted by the other methods. Taken together, these results indicate that polysaccharides from ginger stems and leaves obtained by alkali, complex enzyme, and ultrasonic-assisted extractions are imbued with different characteristic mechanisms of degradation, despite the uniformity of their main structures. In addition, ASE-GSLP displayed better biological activities probably due to its abundant uronic acid content, higher sulfate radical, and smaller molecular weight. Thus, it can be concluded that ASE has great potential as an effective strategy for obtaining polysaccharides from stems and leaves because of its higher yield and the remarkable bioactivity of its products.

Effect of 6-Shogaol on the Glucose Uptake and Survival of HT1080 Fibrosarcoma Cells

Ginger is a plant that is native to southern China. In the last decade and research on the components of ginger has significantly increased; of these components, 6-shogaol exhibits the greatest potential antitumor capacity. However, the molecular mechanism through which 6-shogaol exerts its effects has not yet been elucidated. In this study, the effect of 6-shogaol on tumor cells that were derived from human fibrosarcoma (HT1080) was evaluated. Cell viability was determined by a (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) MTT assay testing different concentrations of 6-shogaol (2.5–150 μM). Subsequently, the effect of 6-shogaol on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, glucose uptake, and protein expression of the signaling pathway phosphatase and tensin homolog/ protein kinase B /mammalian target of rapamycin (PTEN/Akt/mTOR) was measured. 6-Shogaol reduced the viability of the tumor cells and caused an increase in ROS production, which was attenuated with the addition of N-acetylcysteine, and the recovery of cell viability was observed. The increase in ROS production in response to 6-shogaol was associated with cell death. Similarly, glucose uptake decreased with incremental concentrations of 6-shogaol, and an increase in the expression of mTOR-p and Akt-p proteins was observed; PTEN was active in all the treatments with 6-shogaol. Thus, the results suggest that cells activate uncontrolled signaling pathways, such as phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mTOR, among other alternative mechanisms of metabolic modulation and of survival in order to counteract the pro-oxidant effect of 6-shogaol and the decrease in glucose uptake. Interestingly, a differential response was observed when non-cancerous cells were treated with 6-shogaol.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) in the Prevention of Ageing and Degenerative Diseases: Review of Current Evidence

Currently, the age of the population is increasing as a result of increased life expectancy. Ageing is defined as the progressive loss of physiological integrity, which can be characterized by functional impairment and high vulnerability to various types of diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and atherosclerosis. Numerous studies have reported that the presence of oxidative stress and inflammation contributes to the development of these diseases. In general, oxidative stress could induce proinflammatory cytokines and reduce cellular antioxidant capacity. Increased oxidative stress levels beyond the production of antioxidant agents cause oxidative damage to biological molecules, including DNA, protein, and carbohydrates, which affects normal cell signalling, cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis and leads to disease pathogenesis. Since oxidative stress and inflammation contribute to these diseases, ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is one of the potential herbs that can be used to reduce the level of oxidative stress and inflammation. Ginger consists of two major active components, 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol, which are essential for preventing oxidative stress and inflammation. Thus, this paper will review the effects of ginger on ageing and degenerative diseases, including AD, PD, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension, and osteoarthritis.

Ginger: Panacea or Consumer’s Hype?

Ginger in its many forms, from juices of the fresh rhizome, to ginger powder and ginger essential oil, is growing in popularity for claimed universal health benefits. Nevertheless, and contrarily to the common notion of the public, ginger is not devoid of side effects, especially interactions with other drugs, and many of the claimed benefits remain to be substantiated. This work presents a comprehensive revision of the current state of the art on ginger pharmacokinetics and bioavailability, interaction with active pharmaceutical ingredients, raising awareness of the risks of uncontrolled ginger consumption. A second section of the work described the verified actions of various extracts of ginger, or of their main active ingredients, gingerols, based mainly on data obtained from controlled clinical trials. Finally, the last section is devoted to innovative technological solutions to improve the bioavailability of gingerols and ginger extracts that are expected to ultimately lead to the development of more consumer-compliant products.

Screening inhibitors of xanthine oxidase from natural products using enzyme immobilized magnetic beads by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry

In this study, high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry was used to assess the results of bioactive compound screening from natural products using immobilized enzyme magnetic beads. We compared three commercial magnetic beads with modified amino, carboxy, and N-hydroxysuccinimide groups, respectively. Amino magnetic beads performed best for immobilization and were selected for further experiments. Xanthine oxidase was immobilized on amino magnetic beads and applied to screen potential inhibitors in fresh Zingiber officinale Roscoe, extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, and Pueraria lobata Ohwi. In total, 12 potential xanthine oxidase ligands were identified from fresh Zingiber root and Scutellaria root extracts, of which eight were characterized and the concentration required for 50% inhibition was determined. Preliminary structure-function relationships were discussed based on these results. A convenient and effective method was therefore developed for the identification of active compounds from complex natural product mixtures.

Label-free proteomic analysis to characterize ginger from China and Ghana

Ginger is a popular spice used in food and beverages. In this study, we sought to characterize and differentiate ginger samples of Ghana and China origin using label-free proteomic and untargeted metabolomic analyses. As result, a total of 180 proteins significantly changed between the ginger samples from both studied countries. Among them, 17 proteins were specifically identified in the Chinese ginger, while 23 proteins were only identified in the Ghanaian ginger. Function and bioinformatics analyses indicated that changes in carbon metabolism, secondary metabolites biosyntheses, citrate acid cycle, and amino acids biosyntheses-related pathways contributed to the differences. These results were confirmed through the identification of 14 significantly changed metabolites including diarylheptanoids and gingerols. Importantly, change tendencies of these metabolites corresponded to changes in abundance of the protein enzymes involved in their syntheses. These results suggest that changes in metabolism-related protein enzymes are responsible for the intraspecies difference of the ginger samples.

A comparative UPLC-Q/TOF-MS-based metabolomics approach for distinguishing Zingiber officinale Roscoe of two geographical origins

Ginger, the rhizome of Zingiber officinale Roscoe, is a popular spice used in the food, beverage and confectionary industries. In this study, we report an untargeted UPLC-Q/TOF-MS-based metabolomics approach for comprehensively discriminating between ginger from two geographical locations, Ghana in West Africa and China. Forty batches of fresh ginger from both countries were discriminated using principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discrimination analysis. Sixteen differential metabolites were identified between the gingers from the two geographical locations, six of which were identified as the marker compounds responsible for the discrimination. Our study highlights the essence and predictive power of metabolomics in detecting minute differences in same varieties of plants/plant samples based on the levels and composition of their metabolites.

A putative Chondroprotective role for IL-1β and MPO in herbal treatment of experimental osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND

Herbal treatment may have a chondroprotective and therapeutic effect on Osteoarthritis (OA). We investigated the mechanism of action of ginger and curcumin rhizomes cultivated in Egypt in treatment of OA in rat model.

METHODS

Thirty-five albino rats were intra-articularly injected with Monosodium Iodoacetate in the knee joint. Ginger and curcumin was orally administered at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg (F200 and F400). Serum levels of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), hyaluronic acid (HA), malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) were measured using ELISA. The composition of the herbal formula hydro-ethanolic extract was characterized using UPLC-ESI-MS. Histopathological changes in injected joints was examined using routine histopathology. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA.

RESULTS

Serum levels of COMP, HA, MPO, MDA, and IL-1β were significantly decreased in F 200, F 400 and V groups when compared to OA group (P value <0.0001). On the other hand SOD levels were significantly elevated in treated groups compared to OA groups (P value <0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The ginger/curcumin at 1:1 had chondroprotective effect via anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect in rat OA model. Further pharmacological and clinical studies are needed to evaluate this effect.

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.