Thromboxanes ginger

Platelet Inhibition Ginger extract has been found to inhibit platelet aggregation induced by arachidonic acid, epinephrine, ADP, and collagen (Srivastava 1984). The extract s ability to inhibit cyclooxygenase activity and thromboxane levels correlated well with inhibition of platelet aggregation (Srivastava 1984 Mustafa et al. 1993). The type of preparation used also affects platelet inhibition, because roasted and charcoal of ginger were effective, while ether extracts of raw and dried ginger were not (Wu et al. 1993). 

The antithromboxane effect of ginger is of potential significance in stress and depression. Hypercortisolism is found in approximately 50% of patients with major depression. Plasma thromboxane B levels correlated in a group of depressed patients with high levels of cortisol, but not with depressed individuals with low cortisol or with normal controls... 

Piccirillo et al. 1994). The effects of thromboxane A2 were examined in nondepressed, normai individuals. Thromboxane A2 was found to have direct CNS effects on hemodynamic, ACTH, and cortisol responses (Cudd 1998). Whether ginger has a significant effect on these processes and whether it has an antistress or antidepressant effect is speculative, but the eicosanoid activities of ginger and relationship to depression warrant further investigation. 

Janssen PL, Meyboom S, van Staveren WA, de Vegt F, Katan MB. (1996). Consumption of ginger (Zingiber officinaie roscoe) does not affect ex vivo piateiet thromboxane production in humans. EurJ Clin Nutr. 50(11) 772-4. 

Srivastava KC. (1989). Effect of onion and ginger consumption on platelet thromboxane production in humans. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 35(3) 183-5. 

Backon, J. Ginger Inhibition of thromboxane synthetase and stimulation of prostacyclin relevance for medicine and psychiatry. Med Hypotheses 1986 20(3) 271-278. 

To determine the relevance of in vitro results to clinical setting, Srivastava extended his previous in vitro study (27) to seven healthy female volunteers, who received 5 g of fresh ginger daily for one week. The serum thromboxane activity (thromboxane B2 formation) at baseline was not significantly different compared to that obtained after one week of ginger administration. There were also no evidence of ecchymosis or reports of unusual bleeding episodes (34). 

Backon J. Ginger in preventing nausea and vomiting of pregnancy a caveat due to its thromboxane synthetase activity and effect on testosterone binding [letter]. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 1991 42 163-164. 

Ginger, which inhibits thromboxane synthase and decreases the rate of platelet aggregation, may increase bleeding time. Feverfew, which also inhibits platelet activity, should also be avoided. 

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