Antibacterial activity of [10]-gingerol and [12]-gingerol isolated from ginger rhizome against periodontal bacteria

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) has been used widely as a food spice and an herbal medicine. In particular, its gingerol-related components have been reported to possess antimicrobial and antifungal properties, as well as several pharmaceutical properties. However, the effective ginger constituents that inhibit the growth of oral bacteria associated with periodontitis in the human oral cavity have not been elucidated. This study revealed that the ethanol and n-hexane extracts of ginger exhibited antibacterial activities against three anaerobic Gram-negative bacteria, Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 53978, Porphyromonas endodontalis ATCC 35406 and Prevotella intermedia ATCC 25611, causing periodontal diseases. Thereafter, five ginger constituents were isolated by a preparative high-performance liquid chromatographic method from the active silica-gel column chromatography fractions, elucidated their structures by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and their antibacterial activity evaluated. In conclusion, two highly alkylated gingerols, [10]-gingerol and [12]-gingerol effectively inhibited the growth of these oral pathogens at a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) range of 6-30 microg/mL. These ginger compounds also killed the oral pathogens at a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) range of 4-20 microg/mL, but not the other ginger compounds 5-acetoxy-[6]-gingerol, 3,5-diacetoxy-[6]-gingerdiol and galanolactone.     

Zingiber officinale (ginger) compounds have tetracycline‐resistance modifying effects against clinical extensively drug‐resistant Acinetobacter baumannii

Extensively drug‐resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (XDRAB) is a growing and serious nosocomial infection worldwide, such that developing new agents against it is critical. The antimicrobial activities of the rhizomes from Zingiber officinale, known as ginger, have not been proven in clinical bacterial isolates with extensive drug‐resistance. This study aimed to investigate the effects of four known components of ginger, [6]‐dehydrogingerdione, [10]‐gingerol, [6]‐shogaol and [6]‐gingerol, against clinical XDRAB. All these compounds showed antibacterial effects against XDRAB. Combined with tetracycline, they showed good resistance modifying effects to modulate tetracycline resistance. Using the 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging method, these four ginger compounds demonstrated antioxidant properties, which were inhibited by MnO₂, an oxidant without antibacterial effects. After the antioxidant property was blocked, their antimicrobial effects were abolished significantly. These results indicate that ginger compounds have antioxidant effects that partially contribute to their antimicrobial activity and are candidates for use in the treatment of infections with XDRAB. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Antiinflammatory effects of ginger and some of its components in human bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells

The proinflammatory chemokine interleukin‐8 is increased in asthmatic patients. Traditionally, ginger is used as an antiinflammatory drug. An extract and several compounds of Zingiber officinale (ginger) were tested in human bronchial epithelial cells (BEAS‐2B cells) with respect to their effect on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced secretion of the proinflammatory chemokine interleukin 8 (IL‐8) and RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T‐cell expressed and secreted). An oily extract of ginger rhizome with > 25% total pungent compounds, ginger volatile oil, ar‐curcumene and α‐pinene reduced the LPS‐induced IL‐8 secretion (measured by a specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay), whereas a spissum extract, the pungents [6]‐gingerol and its metabolite [6]‐shogaol, and the terpenoids citral and β‐phellandrene showed no effect. The LPS‐induced slight increase of RANTES was reduced by volatile oil, ar‐curcumene and α‐pinene. There was no effect of LPS on TNF‐α. Our results suggest that distinct ginger compounds could be used as antiinflammatory drugs in respiratory infections. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cholagogic effect of ginger and its active constituents

The effect of bile secretion in rats was examined in order to clarify the stomachic action of ginger and also to investigate its active constituents. The results showed that mainly the acetone extracts of ginger, which contain essential oils and pungent principles, caused an increase in the bile secretion. Further analyses for the active constituents of the acetone extracts through column chromatography indicated that [6]-gingerol and [10]-gingerol, which are the pungent principles, are mainly responsible for the cholagogic effect of ginger.     

Antifungal agents from the roots of Cudrania cochinchinensis against Candida,Cryptococcus, and Aspergillus species

Bioassay-guided fractionation resulted in the isolation of four antifungal agents from the roots of Cudrania cochinchinensis. Two of these were new compounds, cudraxanthone S [1, 1,3,5,6-tetrahydroxy-2-(1,1-dimethyl-2-propenyl)xanthone] and cudraflavanone B (2, 2',4',5,7-tetrahydroxy-6-prenylflavanone). The remaining two compounds were known compounds, toxyloxanthone C (3) and wighteone (4). Among these compounds, 1, 3, and 4 exhibited antifungal activities against Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillusfumigatus, and A. nidulans (MICs = 2-8 microg/mL). Compounds 1 and 3 also showed antifungal activity against Candida glabrata (MICs = 4-8 microg/mL).     

New triterpene glycosides from the stems of Anomospermum grandifolium

Two new dammarane saponins identified as jujubogenin 3-O-alpha-l-arabinofuranosyl(1-->2)-[beta-d-glucopyranosyl(1-->6) beta-d-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)]-alpha-l-arabinopyranoside (2) and jujubogenin 3-O-alpha-l-arabinofuranosyl(1-->2)-[6-O-[3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl]-beta-d-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)]-alpha-l-arabinopyranoside (3) and a new lupane saponin, 3beta-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-27,28-dioic acid 28-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl(1-->2)-[beta-d-xylopyranosyl(1-->3)]-beta-d-xylopyranosyl(1-->2)-beta-d-glucopyranoside ester (5), along with the known jujubogenin 3-O-alpha-l-arabinofuranosyl(1-->2)-[beta-d-glucopyranosyl(1-->3)]-alpha-l-arabinopyranoside (1) and 3beta-hydroxylup-20(29)-ene-27,28-dioic acid (4), were isolated from the methanol extract of the stems of Anomospermum grandifolium. The structures of the new compounds were established by spectral analysis. Antimicrobial activity screening of compounds 1-3 revealed antifungal properties against C. albicans ATCC 3153 for compounds 2 and 3. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the petroleum ether, chloroform, and methanol extracts of A. grandifolium stems were also evaluated.     

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of [6]-gingerol

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.     

温阳健脾利水药饼神阙穴隔姜灸并热敷联合西药治疗癌性腹水随机平行对照研究

[目的]观察温阳健脾利水药饼神阙穴隔姜灸并热敷联合西药治疗癌性腹水疗效。[方法]将72例住院患者抽签随机分为两组。对照组36例使用西医常规补充蛋白、利尿方法。治疗组36例依据内病外治理论,加用温阳健脾利水中药(制附子25g,细辛6g,川椒目12g,大戟5g,甘遂10g,茯苓皮20g,桂枝10g)研细末,每次取5g,敷于神阙穴,上置刺有小孔的生姜片,再将适量艾绒置于姜片上,点燃灸之,每次灸30min,灸后将药留在神阙穴,外敷膏药,局部热度以患者能忍受为度,过热则换姜片,反复操作,2次/d;西药治疗同对照组。连续治疗15d为1疗程。观测腹水程度。连续治疗1疗程,判定疗效。[结果]治疗组痊愈6例,显效12例,有效10例,无效8例,总有效率77.78%。对照组痊愈3例,显效10例,有效5例,无效18例,总有效率50.00%。治疗组疗效优于对照组(P<0.05)。[结论]温阳健脾利水药饼神阙穴隔姜灸并热敷联合西药治疗癌性腹水,易于吸收,无痛苦、无创伤、无损害,患者依从性好,取穴方便准确、疗效迅速显著,值得推广。     

Isolation and characterization of two antimicrobial agents from mace (Myristica fragrans)

The two antimicrobial resorcinols malabaricone B [1] and malabaricone C [2] were isolated from mace, the dried seed covers of Myristica fragrans. Both compounds exhibited strong antifungal and antibacterial activities. Structure modifications by methylation or reduction resulted in diminished activity.     

甘草干姜汤化裁方治疗寒症咳嗽30例

[目的]探讨甘草干姜化裁方治疗寒症咳嗽的临床疗效。[方法]30例伤寒咳嗽者采用甘草干姜汤化裁方治疗,治疗1周后判定疗效。[结果]显效14例,好转15例,无效1例,总有效率为96.70%。安全无毒副作用。[结论]甘草干姜汤化裁方的灵活运用能够有效治疗寒症咳嗽。