Bronchodilatory effect of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (ginger) in guinea pigs

Purpose: To determine the bronchodilatory effect of ginger on histamine-induced bronchospasm in guinea pigs. Methods: Thirty-six guinea pigs weighing 400 - 700 g were randomly divided into six groups. Group 1 received distilled water, while group 2 was given formoterol (1.55 mu g/kg) + budesonide (0.02 mg/kg). Guinea pigs in groups 3 and 4 were given ginger (350 and 700 mg/kg, respectively), while those in groups 5 and 6 received ginger (350 and 700 mg/kg, respectively) in addition to formoterol (1.55 mu g/kg) and budesonide (0.02 mg/kg). Pre-convulsion time and percent protection in each group was calculated. Results: There was statistically significant improvement in pre-convulsion times, with values of 156.64 +/- 32.93, 299.33 +/- 44.20, and 235.99 +/- 34.55 s for groups 2, 5 and 6, respectively (p < 0.01). Moreover, statistically significant protection values of 73 and 68 % were obtained for groups 5 and 6, respectively, relative to normal control (p < 0.01). Conclusion: These results indicate that ginger has promising potential for use as an add-on treatment for bronchospasm.