Positive Health Online

Abstract

MATHEW and SUBRAMANIAN, Department of Neurochemistry, National Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India evaluated the antioxidant activity, cholinesterase inhibition, anti-amyloidogenic potential and neuroprotective properties of methanolic extract of dry ginger (GE).

Background

As the disease modifying therapies against Alzheimer's disease (AD) continue to exist as a major challenge of this century, the search for newer drug leads with lesser side effects is on the rise. A large number of plant extracts and phytocompounds are being actively pursued for their anti-Alzheimer effects.

Methodology

In the present study, the antioxidant activity, cholinesterase inhibition, anti-amyloidogenic potential and neuroprotective properties of methanolic extract of dry ginger (GE) have been evaluated. The extract contained 18 +/- 0.6 mg/g gallic acid equivalents of total phenolic content and 4.18 +/- 0.69 mg quercetin equivalents/g of dry material.

Results

GE expressed high antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 70 +/- 0.304 microg/mL in DPPH assay and 845.4 +/- 56.62 microM Fe(II) equivalents/g dry weight in FRAP assay respectively. In Ellman's assay for the cholinesterase inhibitory activity, GE had an IC50 value of 41 +/- 1.2 microg/mL and 52 +/- 2 microg/mL for inhibition of acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase respectively. Also, GE increased the cell survival against amyloid beta (Abeta) induced toxicity in primary adult rat hippocampal cell culture. Aggregation experiments with the thioflavin T binding studies showed that GE effectively prevented the formation of Abeta oligomers and dissociated the preformed oligomers.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that methanolic GE influences multiple therapeutic molecular targets of AD and can be considered as an effective nontoxic neutraceutical supplement for AD.

References

Mathew M and Subramanian S. In vitro evaluation of anti-Alzheimer effects of dry ginger (Zingiber officinale  Roscoe) extract. Indian J Exp Biol. 52(6): 606-12. Jun 2014.

Comment

This research reports indicates that dry ginger (GE) increases cell survival against amyloid beta in adult rat hippocampal cell culture, prevented formation of amyloid beta oligomers and dissociated preformed oligomers. These results certainly warrant further research with this non-toxic plant extract which could be beneficial in prevention and/or treatment of Alzheimer’s.