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Copyright of Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal is the property of Pappin Communications and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic properties of ginger in animal models have been reported. However, information related to the mechanisms and factors involved in the metabolic effects of ginger at a hepatic level are limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate molecular factors involved in the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of a hydroethanolic ginger extract (GE) in the liver of rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). The study was conducted in male Wistar rats divided into the following 3 groups: ( i) Rats fed a standard diet (3.5% fat), the control group; ( ii) rats fed an HFD (33.5% fat); and ( iii) rats fed an HFD treated with GE (250 mg·kg−1·day−1) for 5 weeks (HFD+GE). Plasma levels of glucose, insulin, lipid profile, leptin, and adiponectin were measured. Liver expression of glycerol phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT), cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR), PPARα and PPARγ, glucose transporter 2 (GLUT-2), liver X receptor, sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP1c), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and collagen I was measured. Data were analyzed using a 1-way ANOVA, followed by a Newman−Keuls test if differences were noted. The study showed that GE improved lipid profile and attenuated the increase of plasma levels of glucose, insulin, and leptin in HFD rats. This effect was associated with a higher liver expression of PPARα, PPARγ, and GLUT-2 and an enhancement of plasma adiponectin levels. Furthermore, GE reduced liver expression of GPAT, SREBP1c, CTGF, and collagen I. The results suggest that GE might be considered as an alternative therapeutic strategy in the management of overweight and hepatic and metabolic−related alterations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Vox Romanica: Annales Helvetici Explorandis Linguis Romanicis Destinati is the property of Narr Francke Attempto Verlag GmbH & Co.KG and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Phytothérapie is the property of John Libbey Eurotext Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Phytothérapie is the property of John Libbey Eurotext Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Associations of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and dark septate endophyte (DSE) fungi with 38 ginger species (Zingiberaceae) and two spiral gingers (Costaceae) were investigated. All species were mycorrhizal, and the status of 35 gingers and one spiral ginger has been investigated for the first time. The extent of AM colonization and the root length colonized by AM structures varied significantly among species. AM structures were also observed in non-root portions such as scale leaves. Arbuscular mycorrhizae were of either Arum-type or intermediate- type; AM-type is reported for the first time in 37 species. Spores of 16 morphotypes belonging to 4 genera (Glomus, Acaulospora, Scutellospora, Racocetra) were identified from the rhizosphere soil. DSE colonization was found in 22 gingers and 2 spiral gingers. Twenty-two plant species are reported as hosts of DSE fungi for the first time. The extent of total AM and DSE colonization was not correlated. Les auteurs ont examiné les champignons mycorhiziens arbusculaires (AM) et les champignons foncés à septations (DSF) chez 38 espèces de gingembre et deux espèces de gingembre spiralé. Toutes les espèces portent des mycorhizes, le statut de 35 espèces de gingembre et une de gingembre spiralé étant examiné pour la première fois. L'étendue de la colonisation AM et la longueur de racines avec des structures AM varient significativement d'une espèce à l'autre. On a observé des structures AM dans des portions non-racinaires comme les écailles foliaires. Les AM sont de type Arum ou intermédiaires, un type de structures AM rapporté pour la première fois chez 37 espèces. Ils ont identifié seize morphotypes de spores appartenant à quatre genres (Glomus, Acaulospora, Scutellospora, Racocetra) à partir du sol de la rhizosphère. Ils ont retrouvé la colonisation par des DES chez 22 espèces de gingembre et 2 espèces de gingembre spiralé. Il s'agit d'une première mention pour 22 de ces espèces de plantes. Il n'y a pas de corrélation entre l'importance des colonisations AM et DES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation and hypersensitivity of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) to different spasmogens. The past decade has seen increased use of herbal treatments for many chronic illnesses. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a common food plant that has been used for centuries in treating respiratory illnesses. In this study, we report the effect of its 70% aqueous methanolic crude extract (Zo·Cr) on acetylcholine (ACh)-induced airway contraction and Ca2+ signalling in ASMCs using mouse lung slices. Airway contraction and Ca2+ signalling, recorded via confocal microscopy, were induced with ACh, either alone or after pretreatment of slices with Zo·Cr and (or) verapamil, a standard Ca2+ channel blocker. ACh (10 μmol/L) stimulated airway contraction, seen as decreased airway diameter, and also stimulated Ca2+ transients (sharp rise in [Ca2+]i) and oscillations in ASMCs, seen as increased fluo-4-induced fluorescence intensity. When Zo·Cr (0.3-1.0 mg/mL) was given 30 min before ACh administration, the ACh-induced airway contraction and Ca2+ signalling were significantly reduced. Similarly, verapamil (1 μmol/L) also inhibited agonist-induced airway contraction and Ca2+ signalling, indicating a similarity in the modes of action. When Zo·Cr (0.3 mg/mL) and verapamil (1 μmol/L) were given together before ACh, the degree of inhibition was the same as that observed when each of these blockers was given alone, indicating absence of any additional inhibitory mechanism in the extract. In Ca2+-free solution, both Zo·Cr and verapamil, when given separately, inhibited Ca2+ (10 mmol/L)-induced increase in fluorescence and airway contraction. This shows that ginger inhibits airway contraction and associated Ca2+ signalling, possibly via blockade of plasma membrane Ca2+ channels, thus reiterating the effectiveness of this age-old herb in treating respiratory illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on study of real-time PCR detection of Ralstonia solanacearum (Rs) in ginger rhizomes. An investigation is conducted on the bacterial wilt of ginger (Zingiber officinale) due to Ralstonia solanacearum which has affected ginger production in Thailand and entire Asia. The study involved the comparison of real-time PCR and BIO-PCR protocols, using asymptomatic ginger rhizomes. The findings revealed that 9 and 13 were positive by BIO-PCR and standard PCR, respectively.