Bitter ginger (Zingiber zerumbet) for patients with solid tumors with no treatment options: A pilot clinical study.

INTRODUCTION: Zerumbone is a natural compound found in bitter ginger plants (Zingiber zerumbet) that shows antiproliferative, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. We aimed to investigate the role of zerumbone in improving the quality of life and symptom control in cancer patients with no treatment options. METHODS: We conducted a pilot, non-randomized, single-center, open prospective, and systematic study on the use of 400 mg of zerumbone twice a day. RESULTS: The study included 35 patients (mean age, 68 years; 64% men), of which 16 completed the eight-week study. The intention-to-treat population showed no significant changes in weight or sleep quality over the eight-week study. Assessments performed using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) showed significant improvements in the quality of life in the global (p = 0.072), activity (p = 0.0393), social (p = 0.0001), and emotional (p = 0.0023) dimensions. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire scores showed significant improvement in anxiety (p = 0.032) and depression (p = 0.021), while the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACIT-F) questionnaire scores also indicated a significant improvement (p = 0.001). Bitter ginger showed low toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Bitter ginger showed promising results in improving the quality of life and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression in the study population. A randomized placebo-controlled study is necessary to confirm these results. This trial was registered under the number FMABC: CAAE - 93459418.00000082, at ISRCTN (BIOMED CENTRAL) NUMBER 4388 (03/07/23) and at Plataforma Brasil (https://plataformabrasil.saude.gov.br/login.jsf).

Evaluation of larvicidal activity and brine shrimp toxicity of rhizome extracts of Zingiber zerumbet (L.) Smith

Introduction In this study, we used dichloromethane (DCM) and methanol (MeOH) extracts of the Zingiber zerumbet rhizome to evaluate brine shrimp lethality and larvicidal activity on Aedes aegypti and Anopheles nuneztovari mosquitoes. Methods Bioassays were performed by exposing third-instar larvae of each mosquito species to the DCM or MeOH extracts. Results Probit analysis with DCM and MeOH extracts demonstrated efficient larvicidal activity against A. aegypti and A. nuneztovari larvae. Conclusions The DCM and MeOH extracts showed higher activity against A. nuneztovari larvae than against A. aegypti larvae, suggesting that the extracts have species-specific activity. .

Atividade biológica de extratos acetato de etila, etanólico e aquoso de timbó (Lonchocarpus floribundus) sobre carrapato bovino / Biological activity of ethylic acetate, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of timbo (Lonchocarpus floribundus) on cattle tick

Ethylic acetate, ethanolic and aqueous roots extracts of Lonchocarpus floribundus were used to evaluate their biological activity on cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. Adult ticks were collected in artificially infested cattle, separated into groups of ten individuals, weighed and immersed separately in the extracts of L. Floribundus roots at concentrations of 5, 25, 50, 75 and 100 mg mL-1. For biological evaluation 14-21-day-old larvae were used, which were immersed in the extracts at concentrations of 1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mg mL-1. After treatment, each group was placed in a Petri dish and maintained at 27 ± 1 ºC and 80 ± 5% relative humidity. The extracts evaluated were not effective to induce mortality of over 50%-engorged female. The ethylic acetate and ethanolic extracts induced 100% mortality of larvae. The ethanolic extract was more toxic (median lethal concentration, LC50, of 2.1 mg mL-1) than the ethylic acetate extract (LC50 = 4.1 mg mL-1). For the ethanolic extract it was estimated a median inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 3.0 mg mL-1 and it was more toxic than the other extracts on this parameter. Among the three extracts evaluated, the ethylic acetate and ethanolic extracts showed the highest potential for the control of reproduction of R. (B.) microplus, reaching 100% at concentration of 5 mg mL-1. The L. Floribundus root extracts showed biological activity on cattle tick.

Os extratos acetato de etila, etanólico e aquoso de raízes de Lonchocarpus floribundus foram utilizados, a fim de avaliar a atividade biológica sobre carrapato bovino. Carrapatos adultos foram coletados em bovinos infestados artificialmente, separados em grupos de dez indivíduos, pesados e imersos, separadamente, nos extratos de raízes de L. Floribundus, nas concentrações de 5, 25, 50, 75 e 100 mg mL-1. Para a avaliação em larvas, foram utilizados indivíduos de 14 a 21 dias, os quais foram imersos nos extratos nas concentrações de 1, 5, 10, 15 e 20 mg mL-1. Após o tratamento, cada grupo foi colocado em placa de Petri e incubado a 27 ± 1 ºC e umidade relativa de 80 ± 5%. Os extratos avaliados não foram eficazes para induzir, acima de 50%, a mortalidade de fêmeas ingurgitadas. Os extratos acetato de etila e etanólico induziram 100% de mortalidade de larvas. Entretanto, quanto aos valores de concentração letal mediana (CL50), o extrato etanólico (CL50 = 2,1 mg mL-1) foi mais tóxico que o extrato acetato de etila (CL50 = 4,1 mg mL-1). O extrato etanólico estimou concentração inibitória mediana (CI50) de 3,0 mg mL-1 e foi mais tóxico que os demais extratos quanto a este parâmetro de avaliação. Entre os três extratos avaliados, os extratos acetato de etila e etanólico apresentaram os melhores resultados quanto ao controle de reprodução de R. (B.) microplus, atingindo 100% na concentração de 5 mg mL-1. Os extratos de raízes de L. Floribundus apresentaram atividade biológica sobre carrapato bovino.