title: Species differences in the prokinetic effects of ginger.
abstract: This study describes the prokinetic actions of the aqueous extract of ginger (Zingiber officinale). Ginger extract (Zo.Cr), which tested positive for saponins, terpenes, phenols, flavonoids and alkaloids, showed a spasmogenic effect in isolated guinea-pig ileum with 8-50 times more potency than in rabbit jejunum and ileum and rat stomach fundus and ileum. Spasmogenicity in all the gut preparations except in guinea-pig ileum was atropine-sensitive. Zo.Cr exhibited a stimulant effect in vivo in mice and enhanced the intestinal transit of charcoal meal. A spasmolytic effect, mediated via Ca2 + antagonist activity, was also exhibited by Zo.Cr, reflected in terms of inhibition of spontaneous contractions, K+ (80 mM)-induced contractions and displacement of Ca2 + dose-response curves. The ginger pure compounds (6-shogaol, 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol and 10-gingerol) also exhibited a spasmolytic activity, which reduced with the increasing size of the side chain in their chemical structures. The study showed that the aqueous extract of ginger exhibits species-specific spasmogenicity in gut tissues of rabbit and rat (muscarinic-type) while through an uncharacterized pathway in guinea-pig ileum, along with a dormant relaxant effect, mediated via the blockade of voltage-dependent Ca2 + channels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, The Aga Khan University Medical College, Karachi, Sind, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Muhammad Nabeel
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Ghayur
authors.forename: Anwarul Hassan
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Gilani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005748:Gastric Fundus / Q000187:drug effects; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit / Q000187:drug effects*; D020939:Zingiber officinale / Q000737:chemistry*; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007082:Ileum / Q000187:drug effects; D007583:Jejunum / Q000187:drug effects; D010276:Parasympatholytics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D051381:Rats; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D010276:Parasympatholytics; D010936:Plant Extracts; D002118:Calcium