SYNERGISTIC EFFECT OF ZINGIBER OFFICINALE (GINGER) AND CURCUMA LONGA L. (CURCUMIN ANALOGS) FOR ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, ANTI-NOCICEPTIVE ACTIVITY AND ANALGESIC POTENTIALS

Abstract

This research evaluates the combined analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and haemolytic potential of ethanolic extracts from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) and ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe). The study involves in vitro and in vivo experiments using albino mice and Wistar rats. Anti-nociceptive activity was determined using hot plate, tail flick and acetic acid-induced writing methods. Carrageenan-induced rat paw edema (0.1 mL of 1 %) model was used for the assessment of anti-inflammatory activity. The haemolytic activity of the plant extracts was performed and was checked against the control (Triton 100X). Different concentrations of the plant extracts were made i.e. C. longa (250ul/ml, 500ul/ml and 1000u/mll), Z. officinale (250ul/ml, 500ul/ml and 1000ul/ml) and combined concentrations of turmeric and ginger (1:3 and 1:6 ratio respectively). Anti-nociceptive activity was conducted by using 35 albino mice of either sex. Animals were divided into 7 groups (n=5). Group I and Group II were treated with DMSO (10 ml/kg) and Diclofenac sodium (100 mg/kg) respectively. While Group III, Group IV and Group V received Turmeric extract (60mg/kg), Ginger extract (200mg/kg and 400mg/kg), respectively. On the other hand, Group VI and Group VII were given combined extract (ginger 200mg/kg + turmeric 60mg/kg; ginger 400mg/kg + turmeric 60 mg/kg). All the test samples were dissolved in 1% DMSO. 0.2 ml of the drug was administrated orally for anti-inflammatory activity. This study examines heamolytic activity of ethanolic extracts from turmeric and ginger, alone and combined, revealing ethanolic ginger extract at 1000ul with the highest heamolysis percentage (7.54%), offering insights into their cytotoxicity potential. In the hot plate test, all doses significantly delayed latency response compared to the control, with the peak effect observed at 2 hours, except for turmeric 60mg/kg, which extended the response to 2.5 hours. Additionally, in the acetic acid-induced writhing syndrome method, all doses displayed significant analgesic effects compared to the control, with the combined dose of turmeric and ginger (400mg/kg; 60mg/kg) exhibiting the highest inhibition. All doses of ethanolic extracts from turmeric and ginger significantly reduced inflammation at 1hr, 2hr, 3hr, and 4hr compared to the control group. The combined dose of ginger (200mg/kg) and turmeric (60mg/kg) exhibited the highest inhibition at the 4th hour.