Effect of ginger on gastric motility and symptoms of functional dyspepsia

AIM:To evaluate the effects of ginger on gastric motility and emptying,abdominal symptoms,and hormones that influence motility in dyspepsia.METHODS:Eleven patients with functional dyspepsia were studied twice in a randomized double-blind manner.After an 8-h fast,the patients ingested three capsules that contained ginger(total 1.2 g) or placebo,followed after 1 h by 500 mL low-nutrient soup.Antral area,fundus area and diameter,and the frequency of antral contractions were measured using ultrasound at frequent intervals,and the gastric half-emptying time was calculated from the change in antral area.Gastrointestinal sensations and appetite were scored using visual analog questionnaires,and blood was taken for measurement of plasma glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1),motilin and ghrelin concentrations,at intervals throughout the study.RESULTS:Gastric emptying was more rapid after ginger than placebo [median(range) half-emptying time 12.3(8.5-17.0) min after ginger,16.1(8.3-22.6) min after placebo,P ≤ 0.05].There was a trend for more antral contractions(P = 0.06),but fundus dimensions and gastrointestinal symptoms did not differ,nor did serum concentrations of GLP-1,motilin and ghrelin.CONCLUSION:Ginger stimulated gastric emptying and antral contractions in patients with functional dyspepsia,but had no impact on gastrointestinal symptoms or gut peptides.

Mosquito larvicidal activity of some common spices and vegetable waste on Culex quinquefasciatus and Anopheles stephensi

Objective:To investigate the larvicidal activities of crude and chlor of orm:methanol(1:1 v/ v) extracts of some common spices(Cuminum cyminum,Allium sativum,Zingiber offinale, Curcuma longa) and vegetable waste(Solanum tuberosum germinated tuber) against Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito larvae.Methods:Larval mortality of above mosquito species were observed after 24,48 and 72 h of exposure to five concentrations of aqueous extract(0.1%,0.2%,0.3%,0.4%and 0.5%) and four concentrations(25,50,75 ppm) of chlor of orm:methanol(1:1 v/v) extract.The lethal concentration of individual spices or vegetable waste was determined by log-probit analysis(at 95%confidence level) and effect of crude and chlor of orm:methanol(1:1 v/v) extracts were recorded on non target organisms.Results: Relative mortality rate of both larval mosquito species were recorded in the following sequences: Cuminum cyminum】 Allium sativum】Zingiber offinale,Curcuma longa 】 Solanum tuberosum germinated tuber for crude extract,and efficacy of chlor of orm:methanol(1:1 v/v) extract were as follows:Curcuma longa 】 Zingiber offinale 】 Solanum tuberosum germinated tuber 】 Cuminum cyminum】 Allium sativum.Conclusions:Crude and chlor of orm:methanol(1:1 v/v) extract of Cuminum cyminum,Allium sativum,Zingiber offinale,Curcuma longa and Solanum tuberosum germinated tuber can be recommended effectively in mosquito control programmes at very low concentrations.No mortality and other abnormalities were noticed on non target organisms and further studies are needed to investigate the chemical structure of active principal which are responsible for larvicidal activity.