Chemical characterization, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasite and cytotoxic activity of zingerone- and gingerol-rich extract of Zingiber officinale

The consumption of food item, delicacy, or herb such as Zingiber officinale (Roscoe) rhizome that are rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties improve the quality of life. Ginger rhizome has been utilized in traditional medicine for centuries for its therapeutic properties. The dominant compound in the rhizome of ginger obtained in various regions determine bioactivities and extent of usage by users. In this study, the chemical composition of ginger rhizome extracts, as well as their in vitro antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasite, and cytotoxicity properties were explored using standard assays. The rhizome was sequentially extracted with ethyl acetate after defatting and analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Antioxidant activity was evaluated using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays, while anti-inflammatory activity was assessed using the red blood cell membrane stabilization method. The GC-MS analysis identified twenty-three compounds, with zingerone (19.01%) and 6-gingerol (8.11%) as the major constituents. The IC 50 of the DPPH, ABTS and membrane stabilization activity were 30.26 ± 0.52; 35.65 ± 1.34 and 16.56 ± 6.54 µg/mL respectively. The extract exhibited anti-parasite action against Toxoplasma gondii , a common foodborne pathogen and showed similar cytotoxicity on human foreskin fibroblast cells. We herein report the first single study examining the chemical composition, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-toxoplasma gondii and cytotoxicity of ginger native to northern Nigeria. Collectively, the results validate the traditional use of ginger as it has the potential of ameliorating inflammatory and oxidative stress-related ailments among others.