title: The effect of extracts from ginger rhizome on inflammatory mediator production.
abstract: Compounds from rhizomes of Zingiber officinale, commonly called ginger, have been purported to have anti-inflammatory actions. We have used an in vitro test system to test the anti-inflammatory activity of compounds isolated from ginger rhizome. U937 cells were differentiated and exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from Escherichia coli (1 microg/ml) in the presence or absence of organic extracts or standard compounds found in ginger (6-, 8-, 10-gingerol or 6-shogaol) for 24 h. Supernatants were collected and analyzed for the production of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) by standard ELISA assays. Predominant compounds in the organic extracts were identified as 6-, 8- 10-gingerols and 6-, 8-, 10-shogaols. Organic extracts or standards containing gingerols were not cytotoxic, while extracts or standards containing predominantly shogaols were cytotoxic at concentrations above 20 microg/ml. Crude organic extracts of ginger were capable of inhibiting LPS induced PGE(2) (IC(50)<0.1 microg/ml) production. However, extracts were not nearly as effective at inhibiting TNF-alpha (IC(50)>30 microg/ml). Thirty three fractions and subfractions, prepared by column chromatography, were analyzed for bioactivity. Extracts containing either predominantly gingerols or shogaols (identified by HPLC) were both highly active at inhibiting LPS-induced PGE(2) production (IC(50)<0.1 microg/ml), while extracts that contained unknown compounds were less effective (IC(50)<3.2 microg/ml). Extracts or standards containing predominantly gingerols were capable of inhibiting LPS-induced COX-2 expression while shogaol containing extracts had no effect on COX-2 expression. These data demonstrate that compounds found in ginger are capable of inhibiting PGE(2) production and that the compounds may act at several sites.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Arizona, P.O. Box 245044, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA. lantz@email.arizona.edu
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Lantz
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sarihan
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sólyom
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Jolad
authors.forename: B N
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Timmermann
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004926:Escherichia coli; D020939:Zingiber officinale; D006801:Humans; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D008517:Phytotherapy; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D027343:Rhizome; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D020298:U937 Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D015232:Dinoprostone