Aphios® Announces The Availability Of SuperCool™ Gingerol For Calming The Stomach And Healthy Digestion *
Woburn, Mass. – May 16, 2011 − Woburn-based biotechnology company Aphios® Corporation is pleased to announce the availability of its locally manufactured and clinically tested SuperCool™ Gingerol product, an all-natural ginger supplement for calming upset stomach and healthy digestion.*
“We received an overwhelming response after the announcement of our clinical trial results in May 2009 on NBC’s Nightly News with Brian Williams,” says Dr. Trevor P. Castor, President and CEO of Aphios®, which produces the SuperCool™ Health pipeline of quality-of-life nutraceuticals, including its flagship product SuperCool™ Gingerol. “The phone lines were flooded with people looking to purchase our product. We were quickly sold out because of high demand.”
Aphios® immediately set to work producing a new batch, but manufacturing such a rigorously tested, consistently high-quality product, following Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) of the FDA, is an arduous process, one that took an extensive amount of time to complete. “With the new batch of SuperCool™ Gingerol in stock, we can now make product available. We have also put in place procedures to alleviate this problem in the future,” affirms Dr. Castor.
“There are a great many people who suffer from upset stomach due to motion sickness, morning sickness and other unanticipated nauseating events in daily life,” Dr. Castor continues. “SuperCool™ Gingerol is a natural way of calming an upset stomach. SuperCool™ Gingerol is made from organically grown ginger utilizing patented SuperFluids™ carbon dioxide technology that is environmentally friendly. The product is free from toxic organic solvents, pesticides and herbicides. It contains natural antioxidants such as Vitamin E to improve stability and natural emulsifiers for improved efficacy. It’s all natural.”
“We are taking a three-pronged approach to re-introduce SuperCool™ Gingerol to consumers,” says Dr. Castor. “We are harnessing the power of the Internet and radio and the popularity and ubiquity of social media venues to re-introduce people to our clinically tested SuperCool™ Gingerol product.”
Aphios® is remodeling the current e-commerce storefront with a fresh new look, an improved, user-friendly format, and additional informative articles pertaining to products in the SuperCool™ Health pipeline.
For the radio component of the new marketing campaign, Aphios® is enlisting the help of local CBS radio station WODS “Oldies” 103.3 FM for on-air advertising spots and periodic live-reads by WODS afternoon on-air talent JJ Wright. Additionally, SuperCool™ Gingerol will be spotlighted in streaming advertising spots on www.WODS.com and featured in banner ads on CBS Boston’s website during the same timeframe.
Rounding out the social marketing campaign is the launch of Aphios®’ SuperCool™ Health Facebook Page and Twitter news feed, both of which are updated daily with valuable health and wellness news stories and insights from Dr. Castor on important health-related issues.
Aphios® Corporation is a green biotechnology company developing enabling technology platforms for improved drug discovery and manufacturing, nanotechnology drug delivery and pathogenic drug safety. Based on these platforms, Aphios® is developing enhanced therapeutic products for health maintenance, disease prevention and the treatment of certain cancers, infectious diseases and Central Nervous System (CNS) disorders.
* This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.
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Ginger May Provide Protection Against Radiation – But Don’t Go Hoarding Stockpiles Of It Just Yet!
Fear of radiation poisoning, fueled by news of the full meltdown occurring at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant in Japan, has people around the world wondering what actions they might be able to take to protect themselves and their loved ones against the effects of radiation if they should find themselves in a similarly dire predicament.
And it’s no wonder. Radiation sickness is an Incredibly Scary Thing™. Exposure to high levels of radiation causes radiation sickness, which announces its presence via a plethora of ailments: nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, dizziness, headache, fatigue, fever, skin reddening, blistering, ulceration, potentially permanent hair loss, damaged sebaceous (oil) and sweat glands, possible necrosis (death) of any skin tissue that was exposed, low blood counts (anemia), infection, abnormal bleeding, cancer, tumors and genetic damage.
So wouldn’t it be fantastic if there were certain foods or dietary supplements out there that could mitigate or eliminate at least some of the radiation sickness symptoms listed above?
Well, ordinary ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) – either in prepared food dishes or in dietary supplements – may be one of them.
While it must be stressed that researchers are NOT suggesting that people should run right out and buy all the ginger and ginger-based products they can get their hands on in preparation for a hypothetical nuclear catastrophe, they ARE eager to share some important findings on the radiation-protective properties of this popular rhizome.
It is widely believed (and studies have corroborated it) that consumption of ginger can calm an upset stomach, aid digestion and alleviate nausea associated with motion sickness, morning sickness or chemotherapy. So, in cases of radiation sickness, ginger supplements, such as SuperCool™ Gingerol, could be used to quell ensuing nausea.
Studies conducted in 2003 and 20041 concluded that when mice were treated with a hydro-alcoholic extract of ginger before irradiation, the ginger in their bodies scavenged DNA-damaging, tumor- and cancer-causing free radicals caused by irradiation.2
In 2005 and 2006, teams of researchers learned that ginger extract has the ability to modulate radiation-induced Conditioned Taste Aversion (CTA).3 This study also indicated that ginger extract has tremendous potential for clinical applications in the mitigation of radiation-induced emesis (vomiting) in humans.4
Recent studies have also suggested that ginger can enhance the efficacy of conventional cancer treatments.
For instance, in 2006 a two-part series on "Natural Health Products That Inhibit Angiogenesis” 5 was published documenting how researchers screened and evaluated herbs and phytochemicals for anti-angiogenic activity.
Angiogenesis is the physiological process involving the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing vessels. This a normal and vital process in growth and development, as well as in wound healing and in granulation tissue. However, when any cells in the body replicate repeatedly, unnecessarily and uncontrollably, it indicates the presence of cancer. So, in this case, inhibition of angiogenesis, or anti-angiogenic activity, is desirable.
In this study, 6-gingerol was listed as one of the bioactive substances of Zingiber officinalis (ginger).6 During active cancer therapy, the bioactive substances should generally be evaluated in combination with chemotherapy and radiation. In this role, they act as modifiers of biologic response or as adaptogens, potentially enhancing the efficacy of the conventional therapies.
Research conducted in 2009 indicated that dietary ginger offered radioprotection at the biochemical level to rats by protecting antioxidant enzymes, reducing lipid peroxidation (LPO) and inhibiting the synthesis of cholesterol.7 It also found that retreatment with ginger reduced the oxidative stress in the animals and protected the liver enzyme-cholesterol-7σ hydroxylase from being denatured.
In a study conducted in 2010, researchers found that “Zingiber officinale protects HaCaT cells and C57BL/6 mice from ultraviolet B-induced inflammation.”8 Treatment with ginger attenuated UVB-induced hyperplasia, infiltration of leukocytes, and dilation of blood vessels in the dermis of mice. The study concluded that Z. officinale, gingerol, and shogaol show potential as anti-inflammatory agents to protect skin against UV irradiation damage.
While miracle foods to ward off the multitude of ailments associated with radiation sickness do not currently exist, research over the past decade has shown that the humble ginger rhizome may yet become a superhero in the event of future nuclear crises.
References:
- Jagetia, G. C., Baliga, M. S., Venkatesh, P., Ulloor, J. N. (2003). “Influence of ginger rhizome (Zingiber officinale Rosc) on survival, glutathione and lipid peroxidation in mice after whole-body exposure to gamma radiation.” Radiat Res 160(5): 584-92.
- Jagetia, G., Baliga, M., Venkatesh, P (2004). “Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.), a dietary supplement, protects mice against radiation-induced lethality: mechanism of action.” Cancer Biother Radiopharm 19(4): 422-35.
- Sharma, A., Haksar, A., Chawla, R., Kumar, R., Arora, R., Singh, S., Prasad, J., Islam, F., Arora, M. P., Kumar Sharma, R. (2005). “Zingiber officinale Rosc. modulates gamma radiation-induced conditioned taste aversion.” Pharmacol Biochem Behav 81(4): 864-70.
- Haksar, A., Sharma, A., Chawla, R., Kumar, R., Arora, R., Singh, S., Prasad, J., Gupta, M., Tripathi, R. P., Arora, M. P., Islam, F., Sharma, R. K. (2006). “Zingiber officinale exhibits behavioral radio-protection against radiation-induced CTA in a gender-specific manner.” Pharmacol Biochem Behav 84(2): 179-88.
- Sagar, S. M., Yance, D., & Wong, R. K. (2006). “Natural health products that inhibit angiogenesis: a potential source for investigational new agents to treat cancer-Part 1.” Curr Oncol 13(1): 14-26.
- Sagar, S. M., Yance, D., Wong, R. K. (2006). “Natural health products that inhibit angiogenesis: a potential source for investigational new agents to treat cancer-Part 2.” Curr Oncol 13(3): 99-107.
- Nabil, G.H, Atef, M.M, Elhag, A., Elhag, M. A. (2009). “Radioprotective effects of Dietary Ginger (Zingiber Officinale Rosc.) Against Fast Neutron-induced Oxidative Stress in Rats.” World Applied Sciences Journal 6(4): 494-498.
- Guahk, G. H., Ha, S.K., Jung, H. S., Kang, C., Kim, C. H., Kim, Y. B., Kim, S. Y. (2010). “Zingiber officinale protects HaCaT cells and C57BL/6 mice from ultraviolet B-induced inflammation.” J Med Food 13(3): 673-80
Toxicology of Ginger
Pharmacology of Ginger
About SuperCool™ Gingerol
Adverse Effects and Drug-Ginger Interactions
Historical Use of Ginger
Cancer - Chemotherapy Induced Nausea and Vomiting (CINV)
Currently, a number of clinical trials have generated positive results that suggest that a regimen of ginger can significantly reduce the amount of nausea and vomiting during a course of chemotherapy (Pace, 1986; Sontakke, 2003; Levine et al, 2008; Ryan et al, 2009). Many patients reputedly use ginger for prevention or treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy for cancer (Quimby, 2007). Zindol® recently completed a successful Phase II/III clinical trial for nausea and vomiting in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy (Ryan et. al., 2009).*
(Pace, 1986; Sontakke, 2003; Levine et al, 2008; Ryan et al, 2009). Many patients reputedly use ginger for prevention or treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy for cancer (Quimby, 2007).
Pace (1986), in a published nursing doctoral dissertation, studied 41 patients being treated for leukemia with cytosine arabinoside. Participants were given 10 mg intravenous Compazine® (prochlorperazine) prior to chemotherapy and every four hours for nine additional doses. Participants who received ginger had significantly less severe nausea on the day of chemotherapy and on the following day than those taking placebo capsules.
Meyer et al., 1995 compared ginger (1.5 g) to psoralen in patients receiving 8-MOP (methoxypsoralen) for extra-corporeal chemotherapy and found that the total nausea score was reduced by approximately one-third in those receiving ginger. Sontakke (2003) found that ginger worked just as effectively in controlling nausea among chemotherapy patients (n=50) as did metoclopramide. Ondansetron was found to work better than both. Additionally, Levine et al. (2008) reported that patients treated for 3 days with high protein meals with ginger experienced less nausea.
In a recent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled ginger trial by Zick et al. (2009) there was no improvement in CINV. 162 patients with cancer who were receiving chemotherapy and had experienced CINV during at least one previous round of chemotherapy were randomized to receive either 1.0 g ginger, 2.0 g ginger daily, or matching placebo for 3 days. All participants were receiving a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist and/or aprepitant. The primary outcome was changed in the prevalence of delayed CINV. Secondary outcomes included acute prevalence of CINV, acute and delayed severity of CINV, and assessment of blinding. There were no differences between groups in the prevalence of delayed nausea or vomiting, prevalence of acute CINV, or severity of delayed vomiting or acute nausea and vomiting (Zick et al., 2009).
In the largest completed study to date, Ryan et al. (2009) demonstrated reduced CINV severity with 3 doses of ginger supplements (0.5 g, 1.0 g, 1.5 g), compared to placebo, in 644 adults receiving chemotherapy for primarily breast, lung and alimentary cancer (90% female, mean age = 53 yrs). Patients were studied during 3 consecutive chemotherapy cycles. The first served as a baseline. During treatment cycles 2 and 3, subjects took the same dose of ginger or a placebo twice daily for six days starting three days before Day 1 of chemotherapy and continuing for 3 days after. All patients received 5-HT3 receptor antagonist anti-emetics on Day 1.
Ginger was well-tolerated and patients were 90% compliant. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) examined change in nausea in the four study arms on Day 1 of cycles 2 and 3. All doses of ginger significantly reduced nausea (p=0.003). The largest reduction in nausea occurred with ginger capsules containing the equivalent 0.5 g and 1.0 g of ginger. Also, time of day had a significant effect on nausea (p<0.001) with a linear decrease over 24 hours for patients using ginger.
*This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treate, cure or prevent disease.
References
Bhattarai, S. Tran, V.H. & Duke, C.C. (2001) The Stability of Gingerol and Shogaol in Aqueous Solutions. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 90(10): 1658-1664.
Chen, C. Kuo, M.K. Wu, C.M. & Ho, C.T. (1986) Pungent Compounds of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) Extracted by Liquid Carbon Dioxide. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry 34(3): 477-480.
Chen, C., Liu, T., Liu,Y., Tseng, W., Liu, R.H., Lu, F., Lin, Y., Kuo, S., Chen, C. (2007) 6-Shogaol (Alkanone from Ginger) Induces Apoptotic Cell Death of Human Hepatoma p53 Mutant Mahlavu Subline via an Oxidative Stress-Mediated Caspase-Dependent Mechanism. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 55(3): 948-954.
Jolad, S. D., Lantz, R. C., Solyom, A. M., Chen, G. J., Bates, R. B., Timmermann, B. N. (2004) Fresh organically grown ginger (Zingiber officinale): composition and effects on LPS-induced PGE2 production. Phytochemistry 65(13): 1937-54.
Levine, M.E., Gillis, M.G., Koch, S.Y., Voss, A.C., Stern, R.M., Koch, K L. (2008) Protein and ginger for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced delayed nausea. Journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine 14(5): p. 545-51.
Manusirivithaya, S., Sripramote, M., Tangjitgamol, S., Sheanakul, C., Leelahakorn, S., Thavaramara, T., Tangcharoenpanich, K. (2004) Antiemetic effect of ginger in gynecologic oncology patients receiving cisplatin. Int J Gynecol Cancer 14(6): 1063-9.
Meyer, K., Schwartz, J., Crater, D., Keyes, B (1995) Zingiber officinale (ginger) used to prevent 8-MOP associated nausea. Dermatol Nurs 7(4): 242-4.
Pace, J.C. (1986) Oral ingestion of encapsulated ginger and reported self-care actions for the relief of chemotherapy-associated nausea and vomiting, in Dissertation Abstracts International University of Alabama.
Quimby, E. L. (2007) The use of herbal therapies in pediatric oncology patients: treating symptoms of cancer and side effects of standard therapies. J Pediatr Oncol Nurs 24(1): 35-40.
Ryan, J. L., Heckler, C., Dakhil, S. R., Kirshner, J., Flynn, P. J., Hickok, J. T., Morrow; G. R. (2009). University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY; Wichita CCOP, Witchita, KS; HOACNY CCOP, Syracuse, NY; Metro-MN CCOP, St. Louis Park, MN Ginger for chemotherapy-related nausea in cancer patients: A URCC CCOP randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial of 644 cancer patients. Suppl. Abstract - No. 9511 2009 ASCO Annual Meeting - Category: Patient Care - Cancer-Related, Citation: J Clin Oncol 27:15s, 2009
Sontakke, S., Thawani, V., Naik ,M.S. (2003) Ginger as an antiemetic in nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy: A randomized cross-over, double blind study. Indian Journal of Pharmacology 35(1): p. 32-36.
Zick, S. M., Ruffin, M.T., Lee, J., Normolle, D. P., Siden, R., Alrawi, S, Brenner, D. E. (2009) Phase II trial of encapsulated ginger as a treatment for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. Support Care Cancer 17(5): 563-72.
Pregnancy-Related Nausea and Vomiting (PRNV)
Motion Sickness
Ginger is believed to be the only botanical that drastically diminish the symptoms of motion sickness as demonstrated in studies dating back to 1982 (Mowrey, 1982; Kirchdorfer, 1983; Careddu, 1986) with some positive results.
More recent research efforts, which include seven clinical trials examining the effects of ginger for motion sickness, have demonstrated less effectiveness with only three (Grontved, 1988; Schmid, 1991 Lien & Sun et al. 2003).
In two randomized control studies that compared standard of care drugs for prevention of motion sickness, ginger proved to be as effective as the other frequently prescribed medications (Riebenfeld, 1986 & Schmid, 1994). In a simulated motion sickness study, Stewart, et al (1991) determined that ginger did not possess any anti-motion function.
Holtman’s work, (1989) suggests that ginger has no influence on the experimentally induced nystagmus but its effectiveness may be derived from the influence of the ginger root agents on the gastric system.
References
Grontved, A., Brask, T., Kambskard, J., Hentzer, E. (1988) Ginger root against seasick-ness. A controlled trial on the open sea. Acta Otolaryngol 105(1-2): p. 45-9.
Holtmann, S., Clarke, A. H., Scherer, H., Hohn, M (1989) The anti-motion sickness mechanism of ginger. A comparative study with placebo and dimenhydrinate. Acta Otolaryngol 108(3-4): p. 168-74.
Lien, H. C., Sun, W. M., Chen, Y H, Kim H., Hasler, W., Owyang C. (2003) Effects of ginger on motion sickness and gastric slow-wave dysrhythmias induced by circular vection. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 284(3): G481-9.
Mowrey, D.B., Clayson,D.E. (1982) Motion sickness, Ginger, and Psychophysics. Lancet 1 (8273): p. 655-7.
Wood, C.D., Manno, J. E., Wood, M. J., Manno, B. R., Mims, M. E (1988) Comparison of Efficacy of Ginger with Various Antimotion Sickness Drugs. Clinical Research and Regulatory Affairs 6(2): p. 129-136.
