BACKGROUND:

Based on recent studies, pungent constituents of ginger (Zingiber officinale) and related substances represent a potential new class of anti-platelet agents. The ability of 20 pungent constituents of ginger and related substances to inhibit arachidonic acid (AA) induced platelet activation in human whole blood was studied.

METHODS:

Anti-platelet activity of the compounds was measured in vitro by the Chrono Log whole blood platelet aggregometer. Molecular hydrophobicity (log P) was measured by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. COX-1 (ovine) inhibitory effect of [8]-paradol and analogues 1 and 5 was carried out using a COX-1 inhibitor assay kit.

RESULTS:

[8]-Gingerol, [8]-shogaol, [8]-paradol and gingerol analogues (1 and 5) exhibited anti-platelet activities with IC(50) values ranging from 3 to 7 microM, whilst under similar conditions the IC(50) value for aspirin was 20+/-11 microM. The COX-1 inhibitory activity of [8]-paradol (IC(50)=4+/-1 microM) was more potent than the gingerol analogues (1 and 5) (IC(50) approximately 20 microM).

CONCLUSION:

The above findings show that gingerol compounds and their derivatives are more potent anti-platelet agents than aspirin under the conditions described in this study. [8]-Paradol, a natural constituent of ginger, was found to be the most potent COX-1 inhibitor and anti platelet aggregation agent. The mechanism underlying AA-induced platelet aggregation inhibition may be related to attenuation of COX-1/Tx synthase enzymatic activity. Lastly, important features of phenolic compounds for inhibition of AA-induced platelet aggregation and COX-1 activity were revealed in this study.