REVERSAL OF CISPLATIN-INDUCED DELAY IN GASTRIC-EMPTYING IN RATS BY GINGER (ZINGIBER-OFFICINALE)

Cisplatin causes nausea, vomiting and inhibition of gastric emptying. We have demonstrated the antiemetic effect of the acetone and ethanoli c extract of ginger (Zingiber officinale, Roscoe, Zingiberacae) agains t cisplatin-induced emesis in dogs. In the present study, the acetone and 50% ethanolic extract of ginger in the doses of 100, 200 and 500 m g/kg (p.o.) and ginger juice, in the doses of 2 and 4 ml/kg, were inve stigated against cisplatin effect on gastric emptying in rats. All thr ee ginger preparations significantly reversed cisplatin-induced delay in gastric emptying. The ginger juice and acetone extract were more ef fective than the 50% ethanolic extract. The reversal produced by the g inger acetone extract was similar to that caused by the 5-HT3 receptor antagonist ondansetron; however, ginger juice produced better reversa l than ondansetron. Therefore, ginger, an antiemetic for cancer chemot herapy, may also be useful in improving the gastrointestinal side effe cts of cancer chemotherapy. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. 199 8. All rights reserved.