Anti-emetic effect of ginger powder versus placebo as an add-on therapy in children and young adults receiving high emetogenic chemotherapy

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2011 Feb;56(2):234-8. doi: 10.1002/pbc.22778. Epub 2010 Sep 14.

Abstract

Purpose: Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) are major adverse effects of chemotherapy. Ginger has been used in postoperative and pregnancy-induced nausea and vomiting. Data on its utility in reducing CINV in children and young adults are lacking.

Patients and methods: Sixty chemotherapy cycles of cisplatin/doxorubicin in bone sarcoma patients were randomized to ginger root powder capsules or placebo capsules as an additional antiemetic to ondensetron and dexamethasone in a double-blind design. Acute CINV was defined as nausea and vomiting occurring within 24 hr of start of chemotherapy (days 1-4) and delayed CINV as that occurring after 24 hr of completion of chemotherapy (days 5-10). CINV was evaluated as per Edmonton's Symptom Assessment Scale and National Cancer Institute criteria respectively.

Results: Acute moderate to severe nausea was observed in 28/30 (93.3%) cycles in control group as compared to 15/27 (55.6%) cycles in experimental group (P = 0.003). Acute moderate to severe vomiting was significantly more in the control group compared to the experimental group [23/30 (76.7%) vs. 9/27 (33.33%) respectively (P= 0.002)]. Delayed moderate to severe nausea was observed in 22/30 (73.3%) cycles in the control group as compared to 7/27 (25.9%) in the experimental group (P < 0.001). Delayed moderate to severe vomiting was significantly more in the control group compared to the experimental group [14/30 (46.67%) vs. 4/27 (14.81%) (P = 0.022)].

Conclusion: Ginger root powder was effective in reducing severity of acute and delayed CINV as additional therapy to ondensetron and dexamethasone in patients receiving high emetogenic chemotherapy (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00940368).

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antiemetics / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects*
  • Bone Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Child
  • Cisplatin / adverse effects
  • Dexamethasone / therapeutic use
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Doxorubicin / adverse effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nausea / chemically induced
  • Nausea / prevention & control*
  • Ondansetron / therapeutic use
  • Phytotherapy / methods*
  • Plant Roots
  • Sarcoma / drug therapy
  • Vomiting / chemically induced
  • Vomiting / prevention & control*
  • Young Adult
  • Zingiber officinale*

Substances

  • Antiemetics
  • Ondansetron
  • Dexamethasone
  • Doxorubicin
  • Cisplatin

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT00940368