Anti Inflammatory and Analgesic Effect of Ginger Powder in Dental Pain Model

Overview

Ginger contains constituents with pharmacological properties similar to the novel class of dual-acting NSAIDs. Compounds in this class inhibit arachidonic acid metabolism via the cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipooxygenase (LOX) pathways. These compounds have notably fewer side effects than conventional NSAIDs and now are being investigated as a novel class of anti-inflammatory compounds. Although ginger has potentially strong anti-inflammatory components, its efficacy on acute inflammation was not assessed before. The common postoperative sequelae of surgical removal of impacted teeth are pain, trismus and swelling, related to local inflammatory reaction, with cyclooxygenase and prostaglandins playing a crucial role. NSAIDs (e.g. Ibuprofen) are effective in the management of postoperative dental pain, likely through blockage of prostaglandin synthesis and are commonly used. The efficacy of Ibuprofen in the treatment of postoperative dental pain has been evaluated in several clinical trials. However, NSAIDs are contraindicated in patients with gastrointestinal ulcers, bleeding disorders, and renal dysfunctions. Therefore, there is a need for an effective, oral analgesic with a more favorable safety profile. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the ability of Ginger powder (Zintoma, Goldaru) to reduce postoperative swelling, pain and trismus in an acute pain model.

Ginger, the rhizome of Zingiber officinale, has a long history of medicinal use. In traditional Chinese and Indian medicine, ginger has been used to treat a wide range of ailments including stomachache, diarrhea, nausea, asthma, respiratory disorders, toothache, gingivitis, and arthritis. Subsequent studies revealed that ginger contains constituents with pharmacological properties similar to the novel class of dual-acting NSAIDs. Compounds in this class inhibit arachidonic acid metabolism via the cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipooxygenase (LOX) pathways. These compounds have notably fewer side effects than conventional NSAIDs and now are being investigated as a novel class of anti-inflammatory compounds. Different animal studies revealed that oral dried ginger or ginger extract reduced inflammation in paw and joint swelling induced by different chemical agents, lung inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and arthritis induced by collagen . Several clinical studies support the value of ginger for the treatment of osteoarthritis . In addition to alleviating pain, ginger extract has been reported to decrease joint swelling. In some of these trials it was reported that ginger relieved pain and swelling to varying degrees in patients with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis as well as those with muscular pain without causing any adverse effects during a period ranging from 3 months to 2.5 years . In one recent trial ginger was tested in primary dysmenorrhea in comparison with Ibuprofen and mefenamic acid and no significant differences was found between the three study groups in relief, stability, or aggravation of symptoms . The common postoperative sequelae of surgical removal of impacted teeth are pain, trismus and swelling, related to local inflammatory reaction, with cyclooxygenase and prostaglandins playing a crucial role. NSAIDs (e.g. Ibuprofen) are effective in the management of postoperative dental pain, likely through blockage of prostaglandin synthesis and are commonly used. The efficacy of Ibuprofen in the treatment of postoperative dental pain has been evaluated in several clinical trials . However, NSAIDs are contraindicated in patients with gastrointestinal ulcers, bleeding disorders, and renal dysfunctions. Therefore, there is a need for an effective, oral analgesic with a more favorable safety profile. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the ability of Ginger powder (Zintoma, Goldaru,Iran) to reduce postoperative swelling, pain and trismus after third molar surgery.