gingerol and Edema

The ethanolic extract of grains of paradise (Aframomum melegueta Schum, Zingiberaceae) has been evaluated for inhibitory activity on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) enzyme, in vivo for the anti-inflammatory activity and expression of several pro-inflammatory genes. Bioactivity-guided fractionation showed that the most active COX-2 inhibitory compound in the extract was [6]-paradol. [6]-Shogaol, another compound from the extract, was the most active inhibitory compound in pro-inflammatory gene expression assays. In a rat paw edema model, the whole extract reduced inflammation by 49% at 1000 mg/kg. Major gingerols from the extract [6]-paradol, [6]-gingerol, and [6]-shogaol reduced inflammation by 20, 25 and 38%. respectively when administered individually at a dose of 150 mg/kg. [6]-Shogaol efficacy was at the level of aspirin, used as a positive control. Grains of paradise extract has demonstrated an anti-inflammatory activity, which is in part due to the inhibition of COX-2 enzyme activity and expression of pro-inflammatory genes.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Catechols; Cyclooxygenase 2; Cyclooxygenase 2 Inhibitors; Edema; Fatty Alcohols; Humans; Macrophages; Male; Mice; Plant Extracts; Rats; Rats, Inbred LEC; Zingiberaceae

In this study the skin permeation and the topical anti-inflammatory properties of ginger extracts were investigated. A commercial ginger dry extract (DE) and a gingerols-enriched dry extract (EDE) were evaluated for their in vivo topical anti-inflammatory activity by inhibition of Croton oil-induced ear oedema in mice. Furthermore, the feasibility of an anti-inflammatory plaster containing DE or EDE was evaluated. Since the in vivo activity was evaluated in mice, the ex vivo skin permeation study was performed by using mouse skin or human epidermis. The DE from the acetonic solution exerted a dose-dependent topical anti-inflammatory activity (ID (50) = 142 microg/cm (2)), not far from that of the potent reference substance indomethacin (ID (50) = 93 microg/cm (2)). Similarly, the EDE induced a dose-dependent oedema reduction though its potency (ID (50) = 181 microg/cm (2)) was slightly lower than that of DE. Increase of the 6-gingerol concentration in the extract did not improve the anti-inflammatory activity. The medicated plasters, containing 1 mg/cm (2) of the commercial DE or EDE, had good technological characteristics and exerted a significant antiphlogistic effect, too. By using the plaster containing EDE, the 6-gingerol amount that permeated through human epidermis was 6.9 microg/cm (2) while the amount that passed through mouse skin was 22.1 microg/cm (2). Nevertheless, the amounts of 6-gingerol permeated through human epidermis and mouse skin in the early period (8h) were comparable (p > 0.3). This preliminary result suggests that the anti-inflammatory effect observed in mice could also be exerted in humans.

Topics: Administration, Cutaneous; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Catechols; Croton Oil; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Edema; Fatty Alcohols; Female; Humans; Mice; Mice, Hairless; Permeability; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts; Skin; Zingiber officinale

In the present study, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of [6]-gingerol, which is the pungent constituent of ginger, were performed. Intraperitoneal administration of [6]-gingerol (25 mg/kg-50 mg/kg) produced an inhibition of acetic acid-induced writhing response and formalin-induced licking time in the late phase. [6]-Gingerol (50 mg/kg-100 mg/kg) also produced an inhibition of paw edema induced by carrageenin. These results suggested that [6]-gingerol possessed analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities.

Topics: Acetic Acid; Analgesics; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Carrageenan; Catechols; Edema; Fatty Alcohols; Formaldehyde; Hindlimb; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred ICR; Pain; Phytotherapy; Time Factors; Zingiber officinale