Ginger stimulates hematopoiesis via Bmp pathway in zebrafish.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Anemia is a hematologic disorder with decreased number of erythrocytes. Erythropoiesis, the process by which red blood cells differentiate, are conserved in humans, mice and zebrafish. The only known agents available to treat pathological anemia are erythropoietin and its biologic derivatives. However, erythropoietin therapy elicits unwanted side-effects, high cost and intravenous or subcutaneous injection, warranting the development of a more cost effective and non-peptide alternative. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been widely used in traditional medicine; however, to date there is no scientific research documenting the potential of ginger to stimulate hematopoiesis.

Methodology/principal findings

Here, we utilized gata1:dsRed transgenic zebrafish embryos to i

SUBMITTER: Ferri-Lagneau KF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3382625 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature