Phytochemical Composition and Anti-Prostrate Cancer Potentials of Two Different Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) Samples Grown in Parts of Oru-East LGA, Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was designed to determine the phytochemical composition and anti-prostrate cancer potentials of some ginger samples grown in parts of Oru-East LGA. Twenty different samples i.e (red and brown) ginger samples were used in the study. The samples were analyzed using standard biochemical methods. The results of the phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids (11.60 ± 0.22 and 13.20 ± 0.2), saponin (9.20 ± 1.00 and 7.20 ± 1.66), tannin (13.20 ± 1.10 and 11.0 ± 0.41), flavonoid (8.8 ± 0.2 and 10.6 ± 0.22), reducing sugar (6.2 ± 0.22 and 9.30 ± 0.32) and polyphenol (21 ± 0.66 and 18.60 ± 0.11) respectively. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the phytochemical composition of the two ginger samples. The study also revealed the presence of some mineral elements like zinc (4.19 ± 0.36 and 2.0 ± 0.11), manganese (28 ± 0.90 and 15.28 ± 0.22), copper (0.80 ± 0.1 and 0.94 ± 0.52), calcium (34.5 ± 1.99 and 45.0 ± 1.22), phosphorus (26.30 ± 1.59 and 28 ± 0.52), iron (6.5 ± 0.88 and 5.8 ± 0.55), sodium (38.26 ± 0.44 and 33.0 ± 2.06) and potassium (36.34 ± 1.94 and 22 ± 1.22) respectively. There was a significant difference (p>0.05) in the level of zinc, manganese, iron, sodium and potassium in sample A when compared with those of red ginger. The result of the proximate analysis revealed the presence of very important bioactive compounds like 6-gingerol (15± 0.22 and 18.0 ± 0.13), 6-shogaol (12.0 ± 0.05 and 14.9 ± 0.11) and paradol (2.5 ± 0.20 and 1.5 ± 0.02) respectively. Ash (6.0 ± 1.20 and (4.4 ± 2.10), moisture (28 ± 0.70 and 22 ± 1.66), crude fibre (14 ± 2.11 and 12 ± 0.91), lipid (12.0± 0.80 and 6.0 ± 0.91), crude protein (2.5±0.32 and 2.0 ± 0.10) and carbohydrate (38 ± 0.32 and 3.6 ± 0.11) respectively. The study also recorded a significant decrease in the level of survivine cyclin DI, cyclin BI, cyclic E and C-MYC proteins levels after treatment of the tumour induced albino rats with increasing concentrations of whole ginger extract. This findings suggest that whole ginger extract could be used in prevention and management of prostrate cancer with tolerable side effects.