Effect of Zingiber officinale R. rhizomes (ginger) on pain relief in primary dysmenorrhea: a placebo randomized trial

Abstract

Background

Zingiber officinale R. rhizome (ginger) is a popular spice that has traditionally been used to combat the effects of various inflammatory diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ginger on pain relief in primary dysmenorrhea.

Method

This was a randomized, controlled trial. The study was based on a sample of one hundred and twenty students with moderate or severe primary dysmenorrhea. The students were all residents of the dormitories of Shahed University. They were randomly assigned into two equal groups, one for ginger and the other for placebo in two different treatment protocols with monthly intervals. The ginger and placebo groups in both protocols received 500 mg capsules of ginger root powder or placebo three times a day. In the first protocol ginger and placebo were given two days before the onset of the menstrual period and continued through the first three days of the menstrual period. In the second protocol ginger and placebo were given only for the first three days of the menstrual period. Severity of pain was determined by a verbal multidimensional scoring system and a visual analogue scale.

Results

There was no difference in the baseline characteristics of the two groups (placebo n = 46, ginger n = 56). The results of this study showed that there were significant differences in the severity of pain between ginger and placebo groups for protocol one (P = 0.015) and protocol two (P = 0.029). There was also significant difference in duration of pain between the two groups for protocol one (P = 0.017) but not for protocol two (P = 0.210).

Conclusion

Treatment of primary dysmenorrhea in students with ginger for 5 days had a statistically
significant effect on relieving intensity and duration of pain.

생강 1500mg로 원발성 생리통을 갖고 있는 가임기 여성(이란, 대학생)에게 월경 예정일 2일전부터 5일동안 투여한 결과 유의성 있는 통증 강도 및 기간의 감소가 관찰되었음.

이전 보고에서 생강의 항염증 효과(COX, LOX의 억제를 통한 LT, PG의 합성 억제)가 알려져 원발성 생리통에서도 같은 기전으로 작용한 것으로 보임.

이번 연구에서 유효 성분인 gingerol, shogaol의 함량이 조사되지 않음.


최근 보고(조직배양생강과 한국재래종 생강의 유효성분 비교, 조만현 외, 한국자원식물학회, 2011년)에서 6-gingerol 의 함량이 종류에 따라 차이가 있지만 0.1~0.3%(최고 75~80% EtOH 추출 상 0.6%)로 보고되는 바, 추정을 하면 3mg/day의 gingerol 정도로 추정할 수 있으나 확실하지는 않다.