Description:
<jats:p>Primary human dermal fibroblasts in monolayer culture exhibit a cytotoxic response to hydrogen peroxide at concentrations greater than 25μM. When pretreated with gingerol enriched Ginger <jats:italic>(Zingiber officinale)</jats:italic> extract for 72 hours, fibroblasts have an increased capability to cope with peroxide induced injury and cytoxicity. Intact skin was organ cultured for 3 days with and without ginger and exposed to hydrogen peroxide (25mM–50mM). Histology revealed that skin which received pretreatment with gingerol enriched Ginger extract exhibited normal physiology post peroxide stress (37.5mM). Alternatively, non‐treated tissue exhibited necrosis at 37.5mM hydrogen peroxide. Intact skin was organ‐cultured with and without Ginger. The tissue was exposed to peroxide, minced, and explanted. Ginger treated tissue had normal outgrowth of fibroblasts and keratinocytes post peroxide exposure. Conversely, tissue which did not receive pre‐treatment with Ginger had no cellular outgrowth post peroxide exposure. The cell outgrowth assay indicated both keratinocytes and fibroblasts are sensitive to peroxide injury. However, fibroblasts appear to be more sensitive to injury and pretreatment with Ginger. In addition to identifying Ginger as a promoter of antioxidant activity in cells and intact skin, this approach may serve as a useful paradigm in the identification and evaluation of potential antioxidants in skin.</jats:p>