Implementation of the Acclimatization Process for Ginger Plantlets (Zingiber officinale Roscoe)

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is an important culinary and medicinal spice but is rarely cultivated due to the unavailability of seeds. Given the difficulties in adapting to plantlets produced in natural environments, it is important to analyze the survival conditions of ginger plantlets. For this reason, we varied the incubation temperature and humidity as well as the substrate during the weaning phase. Then, we varied the nutrients contained in the watering solution during the hardening phase. The statistical analysis showed that physical factors and substrates significantly influenced (p < 0.0001) plantlet survival. Nutrient solutions significantly influenced the phylogenesis, rhizogenesis, and height growth of the plantlets. The suitable physical factors for good development of plantlets are a temperature of 26.54˚C and a humidity of 96.16%. The 1C2T2TC substrate (1 Compost + 2 Soil + 2 Coconut Peat) had a significant survival rate of approximately 92.5%. During hardening, the Plantzym solution promoted good growth in terms of plantlet height (0.6 cm) and good development of roots (30 roots) and leaves (03 leaves). This work will make it possible to develop a technical seed production sheet for better development of ginger cultivation in Benin.

A New Antioxidant Cyclic Diarylheptanoid from the Rhizomes of Zingiber officinale

The bioassay was directed to the fractionation of the methanol extract of the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale Roscoe leading to the isolation of a new antioxidant cyclic diarylheptanoid. The structure of the new compound was established as 1, 5-epoxy-3-hydroxy-1-(3,4-dihydroxy-5-methoxy-phenyl)-7-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) heptane (1) on the basis of MS, 1D and 2D-NMR experiments.

Study on Soil Nutrient Contents and Nutrient Characteristics of Ginger(Zingiber officinale Rosc.)

[Objective] This study was conducted to provide scientific basis for fertilization of ginger with high quality and high yield. [Method] The soil nutrient contents and plant nutrient characteristics of Zhugen ginger（Zingiber officinale Rosc.） were studied. [Result] The results showed that： the soil of ginger planting area in Chongqing（Yongchuan） Seedlings of science and technology city was acidic overall,the soil organic matter content was low and alkali-hydrolyzable N was at moderate level; and the contents of available P, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Cu and Zn were extremely rich, while the available S was in lack. The contents of N and K were abundant and P was little in ginger plants, the content of K was more than N in ginger roots and stems, while the content of N was more than K in ginger leaves. [Conclusion]In practical production, it was necessary to fertilize rationally and control the ratio of N fertilizer to K fertilizer according to local conditions, thereby promoting ginger growth and realize high-yield ginger production.

Two New Diarylheptanoids from the Rhizomes of Zingiber officinale

Two new diaryheptanoids, (5S)-5-acetoxy-1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3- heptanone (1) and (3S,5S)-3,5-diacetoxy-1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)heptane (2) were isolated from the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale. Their structures were elucidated by spectral methods.

Two new compounds from Zingiber officinale

A new cyclic diarylheptanoid, 1,5-epoxy-3-hydroxy-1-（3-methoxy-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl）-7-（4-hydroxyphenyl）-heptane （1）, as well as a new monoterpene, 10-O-β-n-glucopyranosyl-hydroxy cineole （2） were isolated from the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale. The structures of compounds 1 and 2 were established based on their spectral data. In addition, the antioxidant activities of these compounds were also measured.

Effect of Biofertilizer on Growth, Productivity, Quality and Economics of Rainfed Organic Ginger （Zingiber officinale Rosc.） Bhaisey cv. in North-Eastern Region of India

Ginger yields in the NorthEastern region of India are low because the extremely poor farmers of the region can not afford to apply any chemical fertilizers and hence apply only the locally-available farmyard manures to ginger fields. Biofertilizers may be a cheap source of fertilizers for ginger cultivation as they can increase nutrient availability and improve rhizome quality and are required in small quantity. An investigation was thus undertaken to study the effect of different biofenilizers on growth, productivity, quality and economics of organic ginger grown under rainfed condition in NorthEastern region of India. Seed treatment with biofertilizers enhanced growth, increased rhizome yield by 19.0% and resulted in 32.4% higher net profit over control. Among the seed treatments, Azotobacter 5.0 kg ha＂l, Azospirillum 3.75 kg hal and Phosphotica 3.75 kg ha-1 were found optimum in improving most of the growth attributes, increasing yield components and yield of rhizome by 5.6%-13.5%. They also improved rhizome quality by increasing specific gravity, oleoresin and dry matter content and by decreasing crude fibre in rhizome. They resulted in higher net return by 4.0%-12.0% as compared to their other levels. Combined use of Azotobacter 5.0 kg hal along with Phosphotica 3.75 kg ha＂l was found to be the best treatment combination which greatly improved growth and yield attributes of ginger and ultimately recorded markedly higher productivity （2.0%-23.5%） over other combinations. This treatment combination improved the quality of the produce and resulted in the highest gross return （$4,905 hal）, net return （$3,525 hal） and return per dollar （3.55） invested in ginger cultivation. It appears that growing organic ginger by treating the seed rhizome with Azotobacter 5.0 kg ha-~ along with Phosphotica 3.75 kg ha-1 can result in good growth and high productivity of improved quality rhizome and ultimately result in maximum net profit and thus can be recommended for the NorthEastern region of India.

Physico-Chemical Attributes of Essential Oil from Zingiber officinale Roscoe and Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith Cultivars Grown in Togo

The present study was carried out to evaluate the quality of the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale and Zingiber zerumbet from different areas of Togo on the basis of their essential oil content and composition. The dry rhizomes were pulverised, hydrodistilled and essential oils were analysed using GC and GC/MS techniques. The results revealed that the essential oil yield of Z. zerumbet ranged from 0.75% to 1.00% and was mainly composed by Zerumbone (51.8% - 37.5%) and humulene (21.7% - 28.2%). Z. officinale essential oil yielded from 1.25% to 1.67%, with major components as zingiberene (33% - 39.9%);basibolene (12.7% - 16%), and sesquiphellandrene (13% - 14.7%).

Effect of Avocado （Persea Americana）, Cabbage （Brassica Oleracea） and Ginger （Zingiber Officinale） on Rat Liver and Thyroid Injuries Induced by CCI4 （Carbon Tetrachloride）

Avocado, Cabbage, and Ginger are a part of a regular human diet and have antioxidant, and antitumor effects. The effect of AVOE （avocado）, GE （Ginger） and CE （Cabbage） extracts separately on liver NO （nitric oxide）, MDA （malondialdehyde）, as well as serum AST （aspartate aminotransferase）, ALT （alanine aminotransferase）, total bilirubin, TC （total cholesterol）, T.G （triglyceride）, HDL cholesterol （high-density lipoprotein）, LDL cholesterol （low-density lipoprotein）, TSH （thyroid-stimulating hormone）, T3 （Triiodothyronine）, T4 （Thyroxine） in rats treated and untreated with CC14 （carbon tetrachloride） was studied. The levels of NO, MDA, as well as serum AST, ALT, total bilirubin, TC, T.G, LDL, and TSH, showed an elevation while, HDL, T3 and T4 showed the decline in rats treated with CC14 as compared to control. Treatment of rats with AVOE and GE pre, during, and post CC14 administration improve NO, MDA, as well as serum AST, ALT, total bilirubin, TC, T.G, HDL, LDL, TSH, T3, T4 as compared to CC14. Treatment of rats with CE pre, during, and post CC14 administration did not improve in the thyroid hormones and lipid profile levels as compared to CC14. These findings suggest that avocado and ginger treatment exerts a protective effect on metabolic disorders by decreasing oxidative stress.

Physicochemical and Microbiological Properties of Bissap (Hibiscus sabdariffa) and Ginger (Zingiber officinale (L) Rose) Juices Sold in the Western Part of Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire)

Juices made from the calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa (Malvaceae), commonly called Bissap, and the rhizome of Zingiber officinale (Zingiberaceae), known as Gnamankoudji, are widely consumed in C&ocirc;te d'Ivoire. The artisanal preparation of these juices often makes their quality problematic. The aim of this study is to determine some physicochemical and microbiological properties of these drinks sold in the city of Abidjan. To do this, samples of Bissap and Gnamankoudji juices were collected near schools in the Mamie Adjoua (Yopougon) and Abobodoumé (Attécoubé) districts. Physico-chemical and microbiological analyses were performed on these collected samples. The results show that the Bissap and Gnamankoudji juices have an acid pH (2.47 and 3.71), a low protein content (0.78% and 2.11%) and a high water content (80.13% and 85.21%), respectively. The reducing sugar content ranged from 1.20% to 3.34%, with high total sugar (695 mg/mL and 812 mg/mL), low ash (0.70 ± 0.07;0.91 ± 0.01). On the other hand, these juices contain variable concentrations of minerals from one site to another (magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and iron). Potassium is the most abundant mineral element, followed by phosphorus and magnesium. Moreover, it is observed that the Gnamankoudji juices contain vitamin C (4.67 to 5.58 mg/100mL), contrary to the Bissap juice. The microbiological analysis indicates the presence of aerobic mesophilic germs (AMG) but a total absence of pathogenic germs in all juices. The important presence of nutrients and the total absence of pathogenic germs in these drinks justify their regular consumption by the population.

Anti-fatty liver effects of oils from Zingiber officinale and Curcuma longa on ethanol-induced fatty liver in rats

OBJECTIVE： The present study is aimed at evaluating the protective effects of oils from Zingiber officinale （ginger） and Curcuma Ionga （turmeric） on acute ethanol-induced fatty liver in male Wistar rats. METHODS： Ferric reducing antioxidant power activity and oxygen radical absorbance capacity of the oils were evaluated ex vivo. Rats were pretreated for 28 d with standard drug （Livolin Forte） and oils from Z. officinale and C. Ionga before they were exposed to 45% ethanol （4.8 g/kg） to induce acute fatty liver. Histological changes were observed and the degree of protection was measured by using biochemical parameters such as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities. Serum triglyceride （TG） level, total cholesterol （TC） level and the effects of both oils on reduced gluthatione （GSH）, glutathione-S- transferase （GST）, superoxide dismutase （SOD） and hepatic malondialdehyde （MDA） levels were estimated. RESULTS： Oils from Z. officinale and C. Ionga at a dose of 200 mg/kg showed hepatoprotection by decreasing the activities of serum enzymes, serum TG, serum TC and hepatic MDA, while they significantly restored the level of GSH as well as GST and SOD activities. Histological examination of rats tissues was related to the obtained results. CONCLUSION： From the results it may be concluded that oils from Z. officinale and C. Ionga （200 mg/kg） exhibited hepatoprotective activity in acute ethanol-induced fatty liver and Z. officinale oil was identified to have better effects than C. Ionga oil.

Neuromodulatory effects of ethyl acetate fraction of Zingiber officinale Roscoe extract in rats with lead-induced oxidative stress

Objective: This study investigated the ameliorative potential of Zingiber officinale Roscoe extract against lead-induced brain damage in rats.Methods: Thirty male rats were divided into 5 groups of 6 rats each. Lead-acetate toxicity was induced by intraperitoneal injection(10 mg/kg body weight(b.w.)) in Groups B–E. Group A(control) and Group B(lead-acetate) were left untreated; vitamin C(200 mg/kg b.w.) was administered to Group C; ethyl acetate fraction from Z. officinale extract(200 and 100 mg/kg b.w.) was administered to Group D and E by oral gavage once daily for 7 days. Changes in the content of some key marker enzymes such as acetylcholinesterase(AChE), butyrylcholinesterase(BChE), monoamine oxidase(MAO), epinephrine, dopamine,Na^+/K^+-ATPase, catalase(CAT), superoxide dismutase(SOD) and glutathione peroxidase(GPx) as well as malonaldehyde(MDA) levels were determined in serum.Results: Exposure to lead acetate resulted in a significant decrease(P < 0.05) in the activities of BChE,AChE, Na^+/K^+-ATPase, SOD, CAT and GPx with a corresponding increase in the levels of MDA, xanthine oxidase, epinephrine, dopamine and MAO relative to the control group. Levels of all disrupted parameters were alleviated by co-administration of Z. officinale fraction and by the standard drug, vitamin C.Conclusion: These results suggest that ethyl acetate fraction of Z. officinale extract attenuates leadinduced brain damage and might have therapeutic potential as a supplement that can be applied in lead poisoning.

Virus-Induced Gene Silencing in the Culinary Ginger （Zingiber officinale）： An Effective Mechanism for Down-Regulating Gene Expression in Tropical Monocots

Virus-induced gene silencing （VIGS） has been shown to be effective for transient knockdown of gene expression in plants to analyze the effects of specific genes in development and stress-related responses. VlGS is well established for studies of model systems and crops within the Solanaceae, Brassicaceae, Leguminaceae, and Poaceae, but only recently has been applied to plants residing outside these families. Here, we have demonstrated that barley stripe mosaic virus （BSMV） can infect two species within the Zingiberaceae, and that BSMV-VIGS can be applied to specifically down-regulate phytoene desaturase in the culinary ginger Zingiber officinale. These results suggest that extension of BSMV-VlGS to monocots other than cereals has the potential for directed genetic analyses of many important temperate and tropical crop species.

Non-polar Solvent Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Volatile Constituents from Dried Zingiber Officinale Rosc.

A new method, non-polar solvent microwave-assisted extraction （NPSMAE）, was applied to the extraction of essential oil from Zingiber officinale Rosc. in closed-vessel system. By adding microwave absorption mediumcarbonyl iron powders （CIP） into extraction system, the essential oil was extracted by the non-polar solvent （ether） which can be heated by CIP. The constituents of essential oil obtained by NPSMAE were comparable with those obtained by hydrodistillation （HD） by GC-MS analysis, which indicates that NPSMAE is a feasible way to extract essential oil from dried plant materials. The NPSMAE took much less extraction time （5 min） than HD （180 min）, and its extraction efficiency was much higher than that of conventional polar solvent microwave-assisted extraction （PSMAE） and mixed solvent microwave-assisted extraction （MSMAE）. It can be a good alternative for the extraction of volatile constituents from dried plant samples.

Antioxidant and Cytotoxic Diarylheptanoids Isolated from Zingiber officinale Rhizomes

One new diarylheptanoid, namely （4E,6E）-7-（3,4-dihydroxy-5-methoxyphenyl）-1-（4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl）- hepta-4,6-dien-3-one （1）, was isolated from the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale, along with ten known ones, tetra- hydrocurcumin （2）, curcumin （3）, 5-hydroxy-1,7-bis（4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl）heptan-3-one （4）, gingerenone A （5）, 7-（3,4-dihydroxyphenyl）-5-hydroxy-1-（4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl）heptan-3-one （6）, （E）-1,7-bis（4-hydroxy- 3-methoxyphenyl）hept-1-ene-3,5-dione （7）, （E）-7-（4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl）-1-（4-hydroxyphenyl）-hept-l-ene- 3,5-dione （8）, shogasulfonic acid A （9）, 1,5-epoxy-3-hydroxy-1-（3,4-dihydroxy-5-methoxyphenyl）-7-（4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl）heptane （10）, and （3S, SS）-3,5-diacetoxy-1,7-bis（3,4-dihydroxyphenyl）heptane （11）. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral evidence and comparisons with literature data. The free radical scavenging activity of 1--11 was evaluated by the 1,l-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl （DPPH） assay. Most of the isolated com- pounds were found to be better antioxidants than the positive control ascorbic acid. These compounds were also evaluated for their cytotoxicity against HeLa and MNK-45 cells using the MTT assay. Our results suggest that com- pounds 3 and 5-8 inhibited HeLa cells, and 3, 5, 7 and 8 inhibited MNK-45 cells. It was found that compound 5 was markedly cytotoxic against HeLa and MNK-45 cell lines with ICs0 values of 6.4 and 7.8 μmol/L, respectively.

Zingiber officinale(Ginger)Methanol Extract Abates Kidney Dysfunction in Mice Co-exposed to Sub-chronic Alcohol Intoxication and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Background:Increasing number of people globally gives in to indiscriminate consumption of excess alcohol as a coping mechanism to relieve any form of physical or psychological stress.Previously,ethnomedicinal use of Zingiber officinale Roscoe(Ginger)have been shown to exhibit broad range of pharmacological benefits but no data has reported the phytotherapeutic treatment of Zingiber officinale methanol extract(MEZO)on alcohol-use disorder(AUD)and post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD)-induced oxidative and inflammatory stress relevant to disruption of kidney functions in animal model.Objective:To investigate the protective effect of MEZO on kidney-oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers in sub-chronic alcohol exacerbation of PTSD symptoms in mice.Methods:Male Swiss mice were administered 30%ethanol for two weeks and thereafter introduced to single pro-longed stress to induce AUD and PTSD respectively prior to post-treatment with MEZO and vitamin C.Markers of oxidative stress,inflammatory cytokines,kidney functions,HPA-axis signaling molecules,vasodilator substance,and histopathology of the kidney were evaluated.Results:Sub-chronic alcohol intoxication heightened PTSD-induced oxido-inflammatory stress,altered the kidney function indices and HPA-axis,and reduced nitric oxide production,which were ameliorated by the phytother-apeutic treatment with MEZO.Furthermore,severe degeneration and atrophy of renal tubules were observed.Meanwhile,MEZO interventions strongly abated all these effects.Conclusions:Herein,the study shows that phytotherapeutic treatment with MEZO prevents the damaging effects of co-exposure to sub-chronic alcohol intoxication and PTSD.

Effects of Roselle and Ginger on cisplatin-induced reproductive toxicity in rats

Aim： To evaluate the protective effects of Hibiscus sabdariffa （Roselle） and Zingiber officinale （Ginger） against cisplatin-induced reproductive toxicity in rats and to study the mechanisms underlying these effects. Methods： Ethanol extracts of H. sabdariffa or Z. officinale [1 g/（kg·day）] were given p.o. to male albino rats for 26 days, which began 21 days before a single cisplatin i.p. injection （10 mg/kg body weight）. Results： Extracts of H. sabdariffa and Z. offcinale reduced the extent of cisplatin-induced sperm abnormality and enhanced sperm motility. Both extracts restored the control level of malondialdehyde （MDA） （lipid peroxidation marker） in the cisplatin-treated testis. The cisplatin injection induced decline in the levels of superoxide dismutase （SOD）, reduced glutathione （GSH） and catalase （CAT） were significantly reversed to control levels in groups where cisplatin was preceded by the administration of either H. sabdariffa or Z. officinale. Conclusion： Both H. sabdariffa and Z. officinale treatment increased the activities of testicular antioxidant enzymes and restored sperm motility of cisplatin-treated rats. The protective effects of tested plants are, therefore, suggested to be mediated by their potent antioxidant activities.

Three new diarylheptanoids and their antioxidant property

Three new diarylheptanoids, i.e., sodium（5S,2E）- 1,7-bis（4-hydroxyphenyl）- 1-hydroxy-2-hepten-5 -sulfonate （1）, sodium（5R,2E）-1,7-bis（4-hydroxyphenyl）-1-hydroxy-2-hepten-5-sulfonate （2） and 3,5-diacetoxy-1-（3-methoxy-4,5-dihydroxyphenyl）-7-（4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl）heptane （3） were isolated from the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods. The antioxidant activities of 3 were assayed by in vitro models involving DPPH free radicals and superoxide anion radicals.

Efficacy of Botanical Insecticides in Control of Flea Beetle (Phyllotreta cruciferae) on Cabbage (Brassica oleracea Linn) on Field

An investigation of effect of Latana camara, Tephrosia vogelii and Zingiber officinale applied at 5%, 10% and 25% concentrations on flea beetle of cabbage was conducted on the Teaching and Research Farm of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso in the early seasons of 2011 and 2012. The experiment consisted of 11 treatments laid in a Randomized Complete Block Design （RCBD） with three replications. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and significant means were compared using the Least Significant Difference （LSD） at p〈0.05. All the tested plant extracts exhibited moderate efficacy in the control of flea beetle. The treatment plant extracts performed as well as synthetic insecticides （0.76±0.05 and 0.76±0.05, respectively）. It was discovered that 25% w/v of Z. officinale gave the best yield of 0.50 kg · hm-2. The result showed that extract of T. vogelii （0.71±0.00） and L. camara （0.96±0.23） could suppress flea beetle population at different hours of spraying, while Z. officinale showed an effect at 48 HAS （0.71±0.00） and 72 HAS （0.76±0.05） alter spraying.

生姜茎叶提取物对高粱蚜生长发育及防御酶活性的影响

为明确生姜(Zingiber officinale Roscoe)茎叶提取物(Ginger shoot extract,GSE)对蚜虫生长发育的抑制作用以及防御酶应答机制,以生姜茎叶和高粱蚜(Melanaphis sacchari Zehntner)为对象,研究GSE对高粱蚜生长发育及致死作用和虫体内超氧化物歧化酶(Superoxide dismutase,SOD)、过氧化物酶(Peroxidase,POD)和乙酰胆碱酯酶(Acetylcholinesterase,AChE)活性的影响。结果表明,与对照(CK)相比,5、10、15mg/mL的GSE对高粱蚜的产仔数、蜕皮数和体重增长均有抑制效应,且浓度越高对高粱蚜生长发育的抑制效果越强,15mg/mL的GSE在5d时对高粱蚜的产仔数、蜕皮数和体重增长抑制作用最强,分别下降了58.58%、93.81%和32.32%。3种浓度的GSE也能显著增加高粱蚜若蚜的死亡率,且浓度越高杀蚜活性越强,其中15mg/mL的GSE在1d时高粱蚜若蚜死亡率最高,达到72.23%。15mg/mL的GSE能显著增加高粱蚜体内SOD活性,且在1d时活性最强,相比CK增加23.85%。高粱蚜体内POD活性则呈现先激活后抑制的趋势,而高粱蚜体内AChE活性在饲喂5d内均受到显著抑制,且在1d时抑制效果最强,相比CK下降了96.90%。结果显示,GSE可能成为蚜虫防治的新型植物源杀虫剂。

Virulence of Pythium deliense causing soft rot in Ginger,a new report from Kerala,India

Ginger(Zingiber officinale Rosc.)rhizome is widely used as a spice and medicine and,its large-scale production is being seriously affected by several fungal and bacterial diseases.Soft rot disease caused by various species of Pythium is the most destructive among them.Samples showing soft rot symptoms were collected from the ginger fields of Kozhikode and Wayanad districts of Kerala.Detailed study of the morphology,growth parameters and molecular characteristics of the fungal isolates confirmed the identity of Pythium deliense.The pathogenicity of the isolates was demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo methods.This is the first report of the pathogen,P.deliense causing soft rot in ginger from Kerala,India.