FOREVER Shunthi( dry ginger)

Zinziber officinale

  Home remedies:

1. In indigestion, its Swarasa 5 ml. along with Nimbu Juice 5 ml and Rock salt 200 mg, should be taken.
2.  In dry cough, its small roasted pieces should be kept in mouth and sucked their juice.

3. In joint disorders, its powder 1gm along with Ashwagandha Churna 4 gm should be taken.

 Recent studies:

1: Acta Pol Pharm. 2006 Mar-Apr;63(2):117-9. Aqueous ginger extract ameliorates paraben induced cytotoxicity. Asnani V, Verma RJ. Department of Zoology, University School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad 380009, India. zooldeptgu@satyam.net.in
The present investigation is an attempt to examine the ameliorative effect of aqueous ginger extract on cytotoxicity induced by paraben (p-hydroxybenzoic acid) on red blood cells (RBC) in vitro. Blood samples collected in EDTA vials from healthy adult human beings (25-30 years) were used for preparation of RBC suspension in saline. The saline suspension of RBC was treated with paraben with and without ginger extracts. The results revealed that addition of paraben to RBC suspension caused significant increase in the rate of hemolysis. However, concurrent addition of paraben (150 microg/mL) and ginger extract caused significant concentration-dependent retardation in paraben-induced hemolysis. The decrease in hemolysis was almost dose- PMID: 17514874 [PubMed - in process]

2: Planta Med. 2007 Apr;73(4):355-62. The effect of the volatile oil from ginger rhizomes (Zingiber officinale), its fractions and isolated compounds on the 5-HT3 receptor complex and the serotoninergic system of the rat ileum. Riyazi A, Hensel A, Bauer K, Geissler N, Schaaf S, Verspohl EJ. Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, University of Muenster, Germany.

A contribution of the volatile oil from ginger rhizomes (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) on inhabiting the 5-HT3 receptor complex had been shown. In the present study a possible interaction of some compounds of the volatile oil with the 5-HT3 receptor system expressed in N1E-115 cells and with the serotoninergic system of the rat ileum was investigated. The volatile oil was obtained by steam distillation and fractionated using a silica gel column resulting in five fractions. Compounds of the fractions were identified by GC-MS. The influence of the volatile oil, its fractions and pure components on serotonin-induced [14C]guanidinium influx into N1E-115 cells was measured indicating the inhibitory interaction with the 5-HT3 receptor channel system. Most potent inhibitors of cation influx were the volatile oil, fraction 4, beta-pinene, terpinolene, alpha-copaene and alpha-phellandrene. The volatile oil and fractions 1 and 4 were not able to significantly influence either serotonin (10 microM)-induced maximum contraction of the rat ileum or the second phase of the biphasic contraction 2.5 min after serotonin addition. However, beta-pinene, terpinolene and alpha-phellandrene reduced both contractions. In conclusion, the volatile oil and distinct compounds such as terpinolene, beta-pinene and alpha-phellandrene interact with 5-HT3 receptor channel system and possess an antispasmodic effect at the rat ileum. PMID: 17511060 [PubMed - in process]
3: J Altern Complement Med. 2007 Apr;13(3):333-40. Alzheimer's disease drug discovery from herbs: neuroprotectivity from beta-amyloid (1-42) insult. Kim DS, Kim JY, Han YS. CurXceL Corporation, The Business and Technology Center, West Lafayette, IN 47906, USA.curxcel@gmail.com
Curcuma aromatia (ul-keum) and Zingiber officinale (ginger) extracts effectively protected cells from betaA(1-42) insult, followed by Ginkgo biloba (ginkgo), Polygonatum sp. (King Solomon's seal), Cinnamum cassia (Chinese cinnamon), Rheum coreanum (Korean rhubarb), Gastrodia elata (gastrodia), and Scutellaria baicalensis (skullcap). Several extracts showed cytotoxicity at high concentration (approximately 150 microg/mL), whereas other extracts did not at all protect cells from beta A(1-42) insult. CONCLUSION: Selective herbs may be potentially important resources to discover drug candidates against the onset of Alzheimer's disease. PMID: 17480132 [PubMed - in process]
4: J Med Food. 2007 Mar;10(1):184-8. The safety and efficacy of a dietary herbal supplement and gallic acid for weight loss. Roberts AT, Martin CK, Liu Z, Amen RJ, Woltering EA, Rood JC, Caruso MK, Yu Y, Xie H, Greenway FL. Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70808, USA.

The objective of this study was to test the safety and efficacy of NT, a dietary herbal supplement made from rhubarb, ginger, astragulus, red sage, and turmeric, combined with gallic acid (GA) to reduce food intake and cause weight loss. A total of 105 healthy subjects, 18-60 years old with a body mass index of 25-35 kg/m(2) and on no chronic medication, were randomized to a 300 mg/1.2 g NT-GA combination, a 600 mg/2.4 g NT-GA combination, or placebo in three divided doses daily for 24 weeks. Food intake was measured at baseline and 2 weeks, and safety parameters were followed regularly. Pharmacokinetic studies of a 200 mg/800 g NT-GA combination and 800 mg GA alone were performed with and without food. There was no dose-related weight loss or reduction in food intake at the 8-week analysis, and the study was terminated early. Pharmacokinetic studies showed plasma levels of GA did not increase above 10 microM and were not dose-related. The NT-GA at all concentrations was well tolerated, but was ineffective in causing weight loss or in suppressing food intake. Pharmacokinetics suggested that GA plasma levels were limited by oral absorption, and may be the reason for lack of efficacy. PMID: 17472485 [PubMed - in process]
5: Phytother Res. 2007 Apr 20; [Epub ahead of print] Evidence of effectiveness of herbal antiinflammatory drugs in the treatment of painful osteoarthritis and chronic low back pain. Chrubasik JE, Roufogalis BD, Chrubasik S. Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Freiburg im Breisgau, Albertstr. 9 79104 Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany.

Treatment with herbal medicines is very popular in Europe. In order to get information on the evidence of effectiveness of oral herbal medicines in the treatment of pain in the joints or lower back, OVID (MEDLINE), PUBMED and COCHRANE COLLABORATION LIBRARY were searched back to 1985 for systematic reviews. The level of evidence of effectiveness was defined as strong - at least two confirmatory studies demonstrating a clinical relevant effect, moderate - one confirmatory study with a clinical relevant effect and/or multiple exploratory studies of good quality; otherwise the evidence was insufficient or conflicting in the case of inconsistent findings.Fifteen systematic reviews were identified. The evidence of effectiveness was strong for a proprietary unsaponifiable avocado soybean fraction and Harpagophytum preparations containing >50 mg harpagoside in the daily dosage, moderate for ginger and a proprietary rose hip and seed powder, insufficient for Boswellia serrata gum resin and other herbal preparations and inconsistent for a proprietary willow bark extract.Further rigorous studies are required to confirm the usefulness of herbal medicines in the treatment of osteoarthritic complaints and chronic low back pain in order to enable acceptance of the herbal medicines into the treatment guidelines. Copyright (c) 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. PMID: 17444576 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
6: BMC Pulm Med. 2007 Mar 20;7:4. AKL1, a botanical mixture for the treatment of asthma: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. Thomas M, Sheran J, Smith N, Fonseca S, Lee AJ. Department of General Practice and Primary Care, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill Health Centre, Westburn Road, Aberdeen, UK. mikethomas@doctors.org.uk
No significant differences in lung function (active-placebo) were found (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second: mean difference [95% CI] = 0.01 [-0.12 to 0.14] L, p = 0.9. Peak Expiratory Flow: -4.08 [-35.03 to 26.89]. L/min, p = 0.8).Trends to clinical improvements favouring active treatment were however consistently seen in the patient-centered outcomes: Asthma Control Questionnaire mean difference (active - placebo) [95% CI] = -0.35 [-0.78 to 0.07], p = 0.10, Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire mean difference 0.42 [-0.08 to 0.93], p = 0.09, Leicester Cough Questionnaire mean difference 0.49, [-0.18 to 1.16], p = 0.15.Nine exacerbations occurred during placebo treatment and five whilst on AKL1. No significant adverse events were noted. CONCLUSION: AKL1 treatment was well tolerated. No significant improvements in lung function, symptoms, or quality of life were seen, although consistent trends were seen to improvements in patient-centered outcomes. Further studies are needed. PMID: 17374147 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

7: Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2007 May;51(5):1859-62. Epub 2007 Mar 12. Susceptibility of drug-resistant clinical herpes simplex virus type 1 strains to essential oils of ginger, thyme, hyssop, and sandalwood. Schnitzler P, Koch C, Reichling J. Hygiene Institute, Department of Virology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, Heidelberg, Germany. Paul_Schnitzler@med.uni-heidelberg.de

Acyclovir-resistant clinical isolates of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) were analyzed in vitro for their susceptibilities to essential oils of ginger, thyme, hyssop, and sandalwood. All essential oils exhibited high levels of virucidal activity against acyclovir-sensitive strain KOS and acyclovir-resistant HSV-1 clinical isolates and reduced plaque formation significantly. PMID: 17353250 [PubMed - in process]
8: Mol Nutr Food Res. 2007 Mar;51(3):324-32. Inhibition of gastric H+, K+-ATPase and Helicobacter pylori growth by phenolic antioxidants of Zingiber officinale. Siddaraju MN, Dharmesh SM. Department of Biochemistry and Nutrition, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore 570-020, Karnataka, India.
Ulcer is a common global problem characterized by acute gastric irritability, bleeding, etc. due to either increased gastric cell proton potassium ATPase activity (PPA) or perturbation of mucosal defence. Helicobacter pylori has been identified as a major ulcerogen in addition to oxidative stress and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In this paper, we report ginger-free phenolic (GRFP) and ginger hydrolysed phenolic (GRHP) fractions of ginger (Zingiber officinale) as potent inhibitors of PPA and H. pylori growth. GRFP and GRHP inhibited PPA at an IC(50) of 2.9 +/- 0.18 and 1.5 +/- 0.12 microg/mL, exhibiting six- to eight-fold better potency over lansoprazole. GRFP is constituted by syringic (38%), gallic (18%) and cinnamic (14%) acids and GRHP by cinnamic (48%), p-coumaric (34%) and caffeic (6%) acids as major phenolic acids. GRFP and GRHP further exhibited free radical scavenging (IC(50) 1.7 +/- 0.07 and 2.5 +/- 0.16), inhibition of lipid peroxidation (IC(50) 3.6 +/- 0.21 and 5.2 +/- 0.46), DNA protection (80% at 4 microg) and reducing power abilities (80-338 U/g) indicating strong antioxidative properties. GRFP and GRHP may thus be potential in-expensive multistep blockers against ulcer. PMID: 17295419 [PubMed - in process]
Summary:

Ginger is an important ayurvedic herb. It is also used as home remedy in India. It is evaluated for its various properties and results of those studies suggest that ginger possess antispasmodic effect, anti ulcer activity, and also acts against cytotoxicity. One research team has suggested that it is effectve in alzheimer's disease due to its neuroprotectivity. It is also proved as safe and efficacious food supplement. It is also evaluated with positive results as herbal antiinflammatory drugs in the treatment of painful osteoarthritis and chronic lower back pain.

Other research team has suggested that helicobacter pylori has been identified as a major ulcerogen in addition to oxidative stress and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Ginger has the properties to Inhibition of gastric H+, K+-ATPase and Helicobacter pylori growth. This study also indicate the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and strong antioxidative properties of ginger.