The present study was undertaken to investigate the
analgesic, antiinflammatory and hypoglycaemic effects of Zingiber officinale dried rhizomes
ethanol extract (ZOE) in mice and rats. The
analgesic effect of ZOE was evaluated by 'hot-plate' and '
acetic acid'
analgesic test methods in mice; while the antiinflammatory and hypoglycaemic effects of the
plant extract were investigated in rats, using fresh egg
albumin-induced pedal oedema, and
streptozotocin (STZ)-induced
diabetes mellitus models.
Morphine (MPN, 10 mg/kg),
diclofenac (
DIC, 100 mg/kg) and
chlorpropamide (250 mg/kg) were used as reference drugs for comparison. ZOE (50-800 mg/kg i.p.) produced dose-dependent, significant (p < 0.05-0.001)
analgesic effects against thermally and chemically induced
nociceptive pain in mice. The
plant extract (ZOE, 50-800 mg/kg p.o.) also significantly (p < 0.05-0.001) inhibited fresh egg
albumin-induced acute
inflammation, and caused dose-related, significant (p < 0.05-0.001) hypoglycaemia in normal (normoglycaemic) and diabetic rats. The findings of this experimental animal study indicate that Zingiber officinale rhizomes
ethanol extract possesses
analgesic, antiinflammatory and hypoglycaemic properties; and thus lend pharmacological support to folkloric, ethnomedical uses of ginger in the treatment and/or management of painful, arthritic inflammatory conditions, as well as in the management and/or control of
type 2 diabetes mellitus in some rural Africa communities.