The Effect of Lyophilized Zingiber officinale (Ginger) Extract on the Quantitative
Platelet Count
Jose Edwardo Romero- Mamaat, MD, RMT1 *, Jan Michael A. Enriquez2, Carey Rachelle G.
Lim, Roxanne Mae S. Mailed, Sam Kevin C. Saclayan #, Luigi Albert S. Viquiera
1
Program Head, Department of Medical Technology, Far Eastern University, Manila,
Philippines
2
Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology, Far Eastern University, Manila, Philippines
* jemamaat@feu.edu.ph/ jeurisch@yahoo.com, # sam_kevin0328@yahoo.com
Abstract
This study is a quasi-experimental research that determined the in vitro antiplatelet activity of
lyophilized Zingiber officinale (Ginger) extract by inhibiting platelet aggregation through the
inhibition of Thromboxane A 2 synthesis. Ginger extract was lyophilized and was added to
blood samples with EDTA and platelet count was done manually using Rees and Ecker method
and results were compared with control and to specimen incubated at 37˚C. This study aimed
to determine the significant difference between the results of Quantitative platelet count using
EDTA and EDTA with lyophilized ginger extract and Quantitative platelet count using EDTA
with lyophilized ginger extract and EDTA with lyophilized ginger extract incubated at 37.5 C
for 5 minutes. Paired T test was employed and showed equal and unequal variance of 13.917
at df of 62 and 48.462 (p value of .000) between control and blood with EDTA; and lyophilized
ginger respectively; showing significant result. Meanwhile between blood specimen with
EDTA and lyophilized ginger and specimen that was incubated at 37.5 C showed a t value of
1.874, df of 62 and 59.745 at a p value of 0.066; which showed statistically insignificant
finding. In this study, Zingiber officinale has demonstrated antiplatelet property as evidenced
by the significant decrease in the platelet count among the samples and supported by the
calculated df. There was a significant difference seen in between the sample in EDTA and in
EDTA with lyophilized ginger stating that a decrease in the platelet count of the sample occurs
in EDTA with lyophilized ginger compared to the sample in EDTA only. However, there was
no significant difference in the platelet count of the sample in EDTA with lyophilized and the
sample in EDTA with lyophilized ginger incubated at 37°C for 5 minutes. Hence, regardless
of the environment, ginger has the ability to inhibit cyclooxygenase resulting to decrease of
platelet count.
Keywords: Zingiber officinale, lyophilized, EDTA, Thromboxane A 2