Raghavendra Haniadka

Update on the Chemopreventive Effects of Ginger and its Phytochemicals

The rhizomes of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberaceae), commonly known as ginger, is one of the most widely used spice and condiment. It is also an integral part of many traditional medicines and has been extensively used in Chinese, Ayurvedic, Tibb-Unani, Srilankan, Arabic, and African traditional medicines, since antiquity, for many unrelated human ailments including common colds, fever, sore throats, vomiting, motion sickness, gastrointestinal complications, indigestion, constipation, arthritis, rheumatism, sprains, muscular aches, pains, cramps, hypertension, dementia, fever, infectious diseases, and helminthiasis. The putative active compounds are nonvolatile pungent principles, namely gingerols, shogaols, paradols, and zingerone. These compounds are some of the extensively studied phytochemicals and account for the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiemetic, and gastroprotective activities. A number of preclinical investigations with a wide variety of assay systems and carcinogens have shown that ginger and its compounds possess chemopreventive and antineoplastic effects. A number of mechanisms have been observed to be involved in the chemopreventive effects of ginger. The cancer preventive activities of ginger are supposed to be mainly due to free radical scavenging, antioxidant pathways, alteration of gene expressions, and induction of apoptosis, all of which contribute towards decrease in tumor initiation, promotion, and progression. This review provides concise information from preclinical studies with both cell culture models and relevant animal studies by focusing on the mechanisms responsible for the chemopreventive action. The conclusion describes directions for future research to establish its activity and utility as a human cancer preventive and therapeutic drug. The above-mentioned mechanisms of ginger seem to be promising for cancer prevention; however, further clinical studies are warranted to assess the efficacy and safety of ginger.

Ginger in the Prevention of Nausea and Vomiting: A Review

Nausea and vomiting are physiological processes experienced by every human being at some stage of their life. They are complex protective mechanisms and the symptoms are influenced by the emetogenic response and stimuli. However, when these symptoms recur frequently, they can significantly reduce the quality of life and can also be detrimental to health. The existing antiemetic agents are ineffective against certain stimuli, are expensive, and possess side effects. Herbal medicines have been shown to be effective antiemetics, and among the various plants studied, the rhizome of Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, has been used as a broad-spectrum antiemetic in the various traditional systems of medicine for over 2000 years. Various preclinical and clinical studies have shown ginger to possess antiemetic effects against different emetogenic stimuli. However, conflicting reports especially in the prevention of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and motion sickness prevent us from drawing any firm conclusion. The current review for the first time summarizes the results. An attempt is also made to address the lacunae in these published studies and emphasize aspects that need further investigations for it to be of use in clinics in the future.

Zingiber officinale (Ginger) as an Anti-Emetic in Cancer Chemotherapy: A Review

Despite significant advances and development of novel anti-emetics, nausea and vomiting (emesis) is a major side-effect of cancer chemotherapy. At times, severe nausea and vomiting may also lead to reduction in adherence to the treatment regimen, and this will concomitantly affect the patients survival. The rhizome of Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, is globally an important spice. It has been used for centuries in the Indian, Chinese, Arabic, Tibetan, Unani, and Siddha systems of traditional medicine to treat nausea and vomiting induced by different stimuli. Preclinical studies with experimental animals (dogs and rats) have shown that the various extracts of ginger and the ginger juice possess anti-emetic effects against chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Gingerol, the active principle, is also shown to possess anti-emetic effects in minks. However, with regard to humans, while most studies have been supportive of the preclinical observations, a few have been contradictory. The exact mechanism responsible for the anti-emetic effects of ginger is unknown; however, the ginger phytochemicals, especially 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, 10-gingerol, and 6-shogaol, may function as a 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT3) antagonist, NK1 antagonist, antihistaminic, and possess prokinetic effects. The present review for the first time attempts to address the anti-emetic observations and the variability in response of the anti-emetic effects of ginger in cancer chemotherapy. An attempt is also made to address the lacunae in the published studies and emphasize aspects that need further investigations for ginger to be of use in clinics as an anti-emetic agent in the future.

Radioprotective effects of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Ginger): past, present and future

Radiation is an important modality in treating people with cancer especially when surgical intervention is impracticable or might debilitate the patient. However, effective use of ionizing radiation is compromised by the side effects that result from radiation-induced damage to normal tissue. The use of radioprotective compounds, which can selectively protect normal tissues against radiation injury is of immense use because in addition to association with protecting the normal tissue, it will also permits use of higher doses of radiation to obtain better cancer control and possible cure. However, till date no ideal radioprotectors are available as most synthetic compounds are toxic at their optimal concentrations. Plants commonly used as dietary and or therapeutic agents have recently been the focus of attention since in most cases they are non-toxic and are easily accepted for human use. Ginger, the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Zingiberaceae), has widely been used as both culinary and medicinal agent. Preclinical studies carried out in the last decade has shown that ginger and its phytochemicals dehydrozingerone, zingerone possess radioprotective effects in laboratory animals and in cultured cells in vitro. The hydroalcoholic extract of ginger rhizome when administered either through intraperitoneal or oral route was effective in protecting against gamma radiation-induced sickness and mortality. The phytochemicals dehydrogingerone and zingerone present in ginger are also shown to protect mice against radiation-induced sickness and mortality. Mechanistic studies have indicated that the free radical scavenging, antioxidant affects, anti-inflammatory and anti-clastogenic effects may contribute towards the observed protection. Additionally, studies with tumor bearing mice have also shown that zingerone selectively protects the normal tissues against the tumoricidal effects of radiation. This review for the first time summarizes the results related to the radioprotective properties and also emphasizes the aspects that warrant future research to establish its activity and utility as a radioprotective agent.

Medicinal Plants as Antiemetics in the Treatment of Cancer: A Review

Chemotherapy- and radiotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting are the most common, intractable and unpleasant side effects in patients undergoing treatment for cancer. 5-Hydroxytryptamine-3 (5-HT3) receptor antagonists plus dexamethasone have significantly improved the control of acute nausea and vomiting, but delayed nausea and vomiting remains a significant clinical problem. Combined neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists with 5-HT3 antagonists and steroids are observed to be better in the control of both acute and delayed emesis. However, the use of these antiemetics is observed to possess inherent side effects. The medicinal plants such as Scutellaria baicalensis, Korean red ginseng, American ginseng berry, Ganoderma lucidum, Zingiber officinale, grape seed extract, and the oil of Mentha spicata are reported to be effective in the treatment of nausea and vomiting mostly in preclinical studies. Of these, ginger has also been evaluated for its efficacy in humans and the results have been contradictory. The current review for the first time summarizes the results related to these properties. An attempt is also made to address the lacunae in these published studies and to emphasize aspects that need further investigations for these plants to be of use in clinics in the future.

Ginger Protects the Liver against the Toxic Effects of Xenobiotic Compounds: Preclinical Observations

According to the World Health Organization, chronic liver disease is a major ailment and causes significant morbidity and mortality in both western and developing countries. However, till date no ideal hepatoprotective agents are available in the modern system of medicine to effective prevent and cure liver ailments. This has necessitated the need to depend on complementary and alternative systems of medicine for liver ailments and diseases. Zingiber officinale Roscoe commonly known as ginger is arguably one of the most commonly used spice, and is an integral part of our diet. In addition to its dietary use, ginger is also reported to possess myriad health benefits, and has been used in the various traditional and folk systems of medicine to treat various ailments and illnesses. Preclinical studies carried out in the past decade have shown that ginger possesses hepatoprotective effects, and to protect against diverse xenobiotic compounds like alcohol, acetaminophen, fungicides, tetracycline, heavy metals and organophosphorus compounds. Mechanistic studies have shown that the protective actions are mediated through free radical scavenging, antioxidant, cytoprotective, and to modulate the levels of the detoxifying enzymes. This review for the first time summarizes the results related to the beneficial properties of ginger in ameliorating the toxic effects of hepatotoxins, and also emphasizes the aspects that warrant future research to establish its activity and utility as a broad spectrum hepatoprotective agent.

Review on the Use of Aloe vera (Aloe) in Dermatology

Aloe vera (L.) Burm. f. Aloe barbadensis Miller (Fig. 13.1), family Asphodelaceae, is a important medicinal plant and history suggest that it was used by the natives of ancient Greece, Rome, Babylonia, Arabian countries, Egypt, India, and China. The plant is supposed to be native of North Africa and Spain; however, today the plants are found growing also in Mexico, the Pacific Rim countries, India, South America, Central America, the Caribbean, Australia, and Africa [1–3]. A. vera plants are shrubby or arborescent, perennial, and pea-green in color. They are extremely sensitive to freezing temperatures but grow profusely in the warm tropical areas as the leaves have water storage tissue and this helps them survive in dry areas where rainfall is minimal or erratic [1]. Historical observations indicate that the name Aloe vera, or true Aloe, is probably derived from the Arabic word “alloeh,” Syrian “alwai,” or Hebrew “halal” meaning a “shining bitter substance.” It is commonly called aloe, burn plant, lily of the desert, elephant’s gall [1>–3]. The terminologies in various other languages are enlisted in Table 13.1.

Ginger ( Zingiber officinale Roscoe) in the Treatment and Prevention of Arthritis

The rhizome of Zingiber officinale Roscoe [family: Zingiberaceae], commonly known as ‘ginger’, is one of the regularly used spices in many parts of the world. In addition to its dietary use, ginger has a long history of medicinal use in the various traditional and folk system of medicine to treat various gastrointestinal ailments, asthma, heart conditions, respiratory disorders, many inflammatory conditions and associated pain and rheumatic complaints. The observed myriad beneficial effects are supposed to be due to the presence of bioactive phytochemicals like gingerols, shogaols, paradols, gingerdiols, and zingerone. Studies carried out during the past two decades have validated many of the ethnomedicinal observations and also increased the attention among scientists and researchers to attempt deciphering the reasons for these health benefits. In the present review, for the first time we summarize the findings from some of the most significant preclinical and clinical studies with ginger and some of its phytochemicals in arthritic diseases. The review also addresses the mechanism of actions responsible for the observed effects especially the free radical scavenging, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, inhibition of nitric oxide, modulation of cytokines, decreasing the activity of metalloproteinase and decreasing activation of NF-ĸb. The review also addresses the lacunae in our knowledge and the possible reasons for the contradictory observations in the limited human trial studies.

Ginger ( Zingiber officinale Rosc.) Oils

Abstract Zingiber officinale Rosc., commonly known as ginger, is globally one of the most commonly used spices. It also possesses medicinal value and has been used extensively in various traditional and folk systems of medicine around the world. Marinating or addition of ginger oil has been shown to enhance the quality and shelf life of the food by preventing rancidity. Ginger oil is shown to possess good antibacterial, antifungal properties when used in food preparation. The antioxidant and lipid peroxidation inhibition properties of ginger prevent peroxidative damage, indicating the benefits of ginger in prevention microbial food spoilage, free radical-induced damage, and rancidity. These properties are attributed to the plethora of biologically active compounds present in the oil of both fresh and dried ginger.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) the Dietary Agent in Skin Care: A Review

Ginger the rhizome of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (family Zingiberaceae) is globally one of the most common spices and has been used as a culinary agent for over 1,000 years in Asia (Fig. 11.1). Historical evidences and reports suggest that ginger plants were originally found growing in South-East Asia (today’s Northeast India). In Sanskrit, ginger is known as Sringavera and it is speculated that this term may have given way to Zingiberi in Greek and then to the Latin term Zingiber [1]. Ginger belongs to the family Zingiberaceae that also includes other important plants like turmeric (Curcuma longa), galangal or Thai ginger (Alpinia galanga), melegueta pepper (Aframomum melegueta), myoga (Zingiber mioga), and cardamom (Amomum, Elettaria).