Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of ointment based on dense ginger extract (Zingiber officinale)

Abstract

Introduction: Zingiber officinale (Zingiberaceae family) is traditionally used in alternative medicine to reduce pain from rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Ginger is also often applied for stomach and chest pain, toothaches and as anti-inflammatory agent. The aim of this study is to investigate analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Z. officinale dense extract after its transdermal delivery using allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) induced model with further discussion of possible action mechanism of ginger phytoconstituents. Methods: Inflammation was induced by subplantar injection to the plantar fasciitis (aponeurosis) of the hind limb of rats using 30 μL AITC solution (100 μg/limb) in 1,2-propyleneglycol. The dynamics of changes of inflammatory process was evaluated before addition of the inflammation inducer and after 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 24 hours of its injection for measuring the volume and the thickness of affected limb. Analgesic activity of ointments with ginger extract was examined using the model of AITC-induced pain. Results: The most effective inhibition of the development of inflammation process was 0.025% ointment with ginger extract, and the highest anti-nociceptive effect was observed at the application of 0.05% ointment 10 minutes before pain inducer agent. Conclusion: Zingiber officinale dense extract was revealed to possess significant antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory actions after its transdermal delivery. Since the pharmacological effects of ginger extract have been investigated on AITC-induced model, we may suggest the vital role of phytoconstituents binding to TRPA1 and TRPV1 ion channels as possible mechanism of action.