Effects of ondansetron and [6]-gingerol on pica and gut microbiota in rats treated with cisplatin

Abstract

Purpose

[6]-gingerol is one of the main components of ginger with many biological activities. In this study, the effects of ondansetron and [6]-gingerol on pica and gut microbiota in rats injected with cisplatin were evaluated.

Materials and methods

Rat model of cisplatin-induced pica was established, and the effects of ondansetron and [6]-gingerol on the gut microbiota were further studied by 16S rDNA gene analysis.

Results

The results showed that the total intake of kaolin of the rats injected with cisplatin was significantly increased, and treatment of ondansetron and [6]-gingerol in advance could significantly ameliorate the pica induced by cisplatin. The body weight of the rats injected with cisplatin was decreased compared with the control group. The 16S rDNA gene analysis has shown that ondansetron, [6]-gingerol and cisplatin could increase the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes and decrease Firmicutes on phylum level.

Conclusion

[6]-gingerol was as effective as ondansetron in the treatment of pica induced by cisplatin in rats, and it seemed that [6]-gingerol had the potential to ameliorate the alteration of gut microbiome, but it needs further study.

Keywords:

• [6]-gingerol
• ondansetron
• kaolin
• pica
• gut microbiota
• cisplatin

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81673779, No. 81803912), the Scientific Research Project of the Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Guangdong Province (No. 20182079), the Characteristic Innovation Project (Natural Science) of the Education Department of Guangdong Province and the “Innovation Strong School Project” of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University (No. 2017KTSCX102), and the Science and Technology Project of Yue-Xiu District of Guangzhou (No. 2018-WS-011).

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.