Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities of essential oil from ginger

Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2013 Jan-Mar;57(1):51-62.

Abstract

Chemical compositions of ginger oil as well as its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive potential were evaluated in the present study. The main constituents as detected by GC/MS analysis was alpha-zingiberene which constituted 31% of the total area, ar-curcumene (15.4%) and a -sesquiphellandrene (14.02%). Ginger oil scavenged superoxide, DPPH, hydroxyl radicals and inhibited tissue lipid peroxidation in vitro. Intraperitoneal administration of ginger oil was found to inhibit phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate induced superoxide radicals elicited by macrophages. Oral administration of ginger oil for one month, significantly increased superoxide dismutase, glutathione and glutathione reductase enzymes level (P < 0.001) in blood of mice and glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase enzymes in liver. Ginger oil produced significant reduction in acute inflammation produced by carrageenan and dextran and formalin induced chronic inflammation (P < 0.001). It also exhibited significant reduction in acetic acid induced writhing movements (P < 0.001). The present report revealed that ginger oil possesses antioxidant activity as well as significant anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive property.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology*
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Oils, Volatile / pharmacology*
  • Rats
  • Superoxides / metabolism
  • Zingiber officinale*

Substances

  • Analgesics
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Oils, Volatile
  • Superoxides
  • Glutathione