The use of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) as a potential anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic agent

Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2002 Dec;67(6):475-8. doi: 10.1054/plef.2002.0441.

Abstract

The effect of an aqueous extract of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well as platelet thromboxane-B(2) and prostaglandin-E(2) production was examined. A raw aqueous extract of ginger was administered daily for a period of 4 weeks, either orally or intraperitoneally (IP) to rats. Fasting blood serum was investigated for thromboxane-B(2), prostaglandin-E(2), cholesterol and triglycerides. A low dose of ginger (50 mg/kg) administered either orally or IP did not produce any significant reduction in the serum thromboxane-B(2) levels when compared to saline-treated animals. However, ginger administered orally caused significant changes in the serum PGE(2) at this dose. High doses of ginger (500 mg/kg) were significantly effective in lowering serum PGE(2) when given either orally or IP. However, TXB(2) levels were significantly lower in rats given 500 mg/kg ginger orally but not IP. A significant reduction in serum cholesterol was observed when a higher dose of ginger (500 mg/kg) was administered. At a low dose of ginger (50 mg/kg), a significant reduction in the serum cholesterol was observed only when ginger was administered IP. No significant changes in serum triglyceride levels were observed upon administration of either the low or high dose of ginger. These results suggest that ginger could be used as an cholesterol-lowering, antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory agent.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Blood Platelets / drug effects*
  • Cholesterol / blood
  • Dinoprostone / blood
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / administration & dosage
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plants, Medicinal / chemistry*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Thromboxane B2 / blood
  • Triglycerides / blood
  • Zingiber officinale / chemistry*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Fibrinolytic Agents
  • Plant Extracts
  • Triglycerides
  • Thromboxane B2
  • Cholesterol
  • Dinoprostone