GINGER (Zingiber Officinale) EXTRACT AS ALTERNATIVE

NASAL INHALER

A Research Proposal Presented to the Faculty of Turac National High School

In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements for the Subject

Inquiries, Investigation, Immersion

Researcher:

Noreen Adrianne G. Aganan

Research Adviser:

Mr. Christoper Pagdanganan

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS

APRIL 2021
 Chapter I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

In this chapter, the background of the study, conceptual framework, and statement of the

problem, hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and delimitation and definition of terms

are explicitly stated.

Introduction/Rationale

The monsoon season is the riskiest season when it comes to our health and many

diseases can spread easily due to the moist conditions provided by the weather for

microorganisms to breed and multiply. Viral infections are very common during the monsoons,

and the most common symptoms of almost any viral infection are fever, stuffy or runny nose,

throat pain, body ache, loss of appetite, etc. A stuffy or blocked nose is a major problem, as it

becomes very difficult to manage and especially sleep with a stuffy nose. Most people

recommend using natural remedies like ginger, garlic, etc. to reduce nose stuffiness. Some also

recommend the use of balms and ointments that can help reduce the problem. People are also

seen using nasal inhalers which contain menthol, camphor and pine needle oil that is known to

decongest the nasal passage and make it easier for you to breathe, literally. They are

considered very convenient as they do not have to be applied with fingers every now and then,

and are also easier to carry without the risk of spilling or staining other things in your bag.

However, according to the Certified Specialist in Poison, menthol can cause eye and skin

irritation. When used on the skin, menthol is typically diluted into “carrier oil", lotion, or other

vehicle. If a high-percentage menthol product is applied to the skin, irritation and even chemical

burns have been reported. In 2000, the FDA added a warning against putting products with

menthol near a flame, in hot water, or in a microwave oven. There is additional warning about
applying a menthol product to the skin and placing a heating pad over it. The heat increases

absorption through the skin. In one case, putting a heating pad on a menthol rub resulted in

tissue death.

Based on FDA chemist Reynold Tan, Ph.D., there have been 43 reported cases of burns

associated with the use of OTC topical muscle and joint pain relievers containing the active

ingredients menthol, methyl salicylate and capsaicin. In the majority of FDA reports, severe

burns occurred with the use of a menthol or menthol/methyl salicylate combination product.

Most of these cases involved products that contain higher concentrations of menthol and methyl

salicylate (greater than 3% menthol or 10% methyl salicylate) such as nasal inhalers.

Furthermore, excessive amounts of camphor can cause irritation in the mouth and throat,

nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. Agitation and seizures have also been described as a

sign of menthol and camphor poisoning according to Dr Lim Keng Hua, an ear, nose, throat

(ENT) specialist at Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre’s Ear Nose Throat, Head & Neck Surgery

clinic.

The use or possession of some common prescription and over-the-counter medicines

are banned under Japan’s strictly enforced anti-stimulant drugs law and ignorance may not be

considered a defence. This includes Vicks Inhalers, medicines for allergies and sinus problems,

cold and flu medication containing Pseudoephedrine or Codeine and nasal-spray bottles.

Foreign nationals have been detained and deported for offences. According to Japanese law,

up to a two-month’ supply of allowable over-the-counter medication or vitamins may be brought

with travellers.

With this, the researcher came up with the study that will give solution with the

aforementioned problems. The researcher will construct ginger as alternative inhaler. This study

is safe and has an efficacy of potential therapeutic plant remedies and cost effective.
Theoretical Framework

The inhaled route is the first line administration method in the management of asthma, it

is well documented that patients can have problems adopting the correct inhaler technique and

thus receiving adequate medication. This applies equally to metered dose inhalers and dry

powder inhalers and leads to poor disease control and increased healthcare costs. Reviews

have highlighted these problems and the recent European Consensus Statement developed a

call to action to seek solutions. In addition, between 28% and 68% of patients do not use

metered-dose inhalers or powder inhalers well enough to benefit from the prescribed

medication, and 39-67% of nurses, doctors, and respiratory therapists are unable to adequately

describe or perform critical steps for using inhalers. Of an estimated 25 billion dollars spent for

inhalers annually, 5-7 billion dollars is wasted because of inhaler misuse. Reimbursement and

teaching strategies to improve patient education could substantially reduce these wasted

resources.

However, in nasal drug delivery system, nasal spray seems to be the most promising

delivery method for both local and systemic diseases therapy. Nasal deposition behaviour is the

most basic and important process for nasal sprays, which is related to nasal mucociliary

clearance, retention of a formulation in the nose therefore the therapeutic effect. Drug

deposition in the nasal cavity, mucociliary clearance and mucosal absorption are the three

important processes of nasal drug delivery. Deposition pattern of nasal sprays includes the

deposition position and area of the formulation in the nasal cavity. Due to nasal anatomy and

physiology structure, with a non-ciliated area in the anterior part of the nasal cavity and a

ciliated region in the posterior part of the nose, the deposition position is of special importance

for the nasal mucociliary clearance and retention of a formulation in the nose. In addition,

deposition area refers to the total surface of deposition, which is related to the absorption of

nasal sprays (Kublik and Vidgren 1998).

 With this theory as a guiding principle, the researcher will make a nasal inhaler that is

herbal and safe to use.

Conceptual Framework

In this study, the researchers will make use of ginger extract as alternative nasal inhaler.

The paradigm below shows the variables and process to be undergone in this study.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

Ginger (Zingiber Preparation and GINGER (Zingiber

officinale) extract Collection of Officinale)
Materials EXTRACT AS
Empty nasal inhaler
Extracting ALTERNATIVE
NASAL INHALER
Experimentation

Figure 1. Paradigm of the Study

Statement of the Problem

This study aims to determine the quality of ginger (zingiber officinale) extract as

alternative nasal inhaler.

1. What are the active components of ginger (zingiber officinale) extract that could help stuffy

nose?

2. What is the level of acceptability of (zingiber officinale) extract as alternative nasal inhaler in

terms of texture, smell and appearance?

3. Is there a significant difference between ginger (zingiber officinale) extract as alternative

nasal inhaler and other commercially prepared product?

Hypothesis

In this study, the researchers tested the null hypothesis by 0.05 level of significance.

H 0: There is no significant difference between the ginger (zingiber officinale) extract as

alternative nasal inhaler and other commercially prepared product.

Significance of the Study

In this study, the researcher will consider the benefits of this study. The following entities

will benefits with this research:

Stuffy nose - most people suffering this problem especially every monsoon season.

People - with this, the problem of skin and eye irritation due to menthol will be solved.

Future researchers – this study will possibly be a guide or basis for further studies.

Scope and Delimitation

In this part of the study, the researchers emphasize the scope and delimitations to set

justification of the study in order to provide legal basis on defining its parameters.

The focus of the study is on making a nasal inhaler with ginger extract as its alternative.

The acceptability of the study will be measured on how long does ginger (zingiber officinale)

extracts as alternative nasal inhaler will last and the active components of ginger (zingiber

officinale) extract that could help stuffy nose.

Definition of Terms

For clarification purposes, the following key terms are hereby defined:

Ginger - a flowering plant whose rhizome, ginger root or ginger, is widely used as a spice and a

folk medicine. It is a herbaceous perennial which grows annual pseudo stems (false stems

made of the rolled bases of leaves) about one meter tall bearing narrow leaf blades. The

researchers will use this as alternative in nasal inhaler.

Nasal Inhaler - a device for breathing in therapeutic vapours through the nose or mouth, esp

one for relieving nasal congestion or asthma.

Extraction - a separation process consisting in the separation of a substance from a matrix. In

this study, this is the process to be performed by the researchers in the nasal inhaler.
 Chapter II

RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDY

This chapter includes the review of related literature, review of related studies and

synthesis of the related literature and studies.

Related Literature

Ginger is a member of a plant family that includes cardamom and turmeric. Its spicy

aroma is mainly due to presence of ketones, especially the gingerols, which appear to be the

primary component of ginger studied in much of the health-related scientific research. The

rhizome, which is the horizontal stem from which the roots grow, is the main portion of ginger

that is consumed. Ginger’s current name comes from the Middle English gingivere, but this

spice dates back over 3000 years to the Sanskrit word srngaveram, meaning “horn root,” based

on its appearance. In Greek, it was called ziggiberis, and in Latin, zinziberi. Interestingly, ginger

does not grow in the wild and its actual origins are uncertain. [ CITATION Ann11 \l 1033 ]

Inhaling has been used as a way of delivering smoke, vapor or powdered substances to

the body since ancient times. The first inhaling devices in Europe were developed in the

18th Century to treat lung complaints. English doctor John Mudge invented an inhaler in 1778

based on a pewter tankard and recommended its use to treat coughs by the inhalation of opium

vapor. Atomizers and nebulizers were invented in France in the mid-1800s. These devices were

based on perfume sprays, and delivered drugs in the form of a liquid spray. But we can thank

the thirteen-year-old daughter of George Maison, president of Riker Laboratories in the United

States for the modern-day asthma inhaler – a now ubiquitous device based on a pressurized

canister that can expel measured doses of a drug directly into the lungs with a single push of a

button. It was the early 1950s and Maison’s daughter suffered from severe asthma. Like other

asthma sufferers at the time, she used the standard apparatus of the day, a squeeze-bulb glass
nebulizer, to deliver freshly-loaded doses of medicine. It was cumbersome, difficult to use and

although it successfully got the drug into the lungs, the nebulizer was not always able to deliver

a uniform dose. Using a gas propellant, alcohol to dissolve the drug, an old ice-cream freezer,

empty soda bottles as pressure containers and a bottle capper, the team soon devised a

working prototype. By 1956, a new drug application was approved for a PTC bronchodilator

Medihaler-Epi (epinephrine) and the prescription only version of Medihaler-Iso (isoproterenol)

for the treatment of asthma. Today, the metered dose inhaler (MDI) is the standard method of

delivering specific amounts of medication to the lungs as a short burst of an aerosolized

medicine, such as salbutamol. It is the most commonly used device used in the treatment of

asthma – an inflammatory disease of the airways affecting about 250 million people worldwide.

[ CITATION Inh \l 1033 ]

The first inhaler was called the mudge inhaler that was created by the english physician

and astronomer John Mudge in 1778. Based on a pewter tankard, the inhaler allowed people to

breathe in an opium vapor to treat what was called a “catarrhous cough,” a cough with a lot of

mucus. To operate the inhaler, users would pour water into the tankard, close the lid, and

breathe in the steam through a flexible tube inserted into an opening in the cover. Thanks to the

new manufacturing and technological capacities brought about by the English industrial

revolution, this treatment device became popular in homes and hospitals. It wasn’t used only for

alleviating asthma symptoms either but also for administering surgical anesthetic.[ CITATION

Kat18 \l 1033 ]

Related Studies

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), a well-known herbaceous plant, has been widely

used as a flavoring agent and herbal medicine for centuries. Furthermore, the consumption of
the ginger rhizome is a typical traditional remedy to relieve common health problems, including

pain, nausea, and vomiting. Notably, a prominent number of randomized clinical trials (RCTs)

have been conducted to examine ginger’s antiemetic effect in various conditions such as motion

sickness, pregnancy, and post-anesthesia. More than approximately 100 compounds have

reportedly been isolated from ginger. Specifically, the major classes of ginger compounds are

gingerol, shogaols, zingiberene, and zingerone, as well as other less common compounds,

including terpenes, vitamins, and minerals. Among them, gingerols are considered as the

primary components, reported to possess several bioactivities. As a result, many related

biological activities have been explored such as those of antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-

neuroinflammation, just to name a few. Moreover, in recent years, the role of ginger has been

extended to anticancer, chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV), and fatigue, as

well as improvements in the quality of life in daily human work. [ CITATION Ngu20 \l 1033 ]

At least 115 constituents in fresh and dried ginger varieties have been identified by a

variety of analytical processes. Gingerols are the major constituents of fresh ginger and are

found slightly reduced in dry ginger, whereas the concentrations of shogaols, which are the

major gingerol dehydration products, are more abundant in dry ginger than in fresh ginger. At

least 31 gingerol-related compounds have been identified from the methanolic crude extracts of

fresh ginger rhizome. Ginger has been fractionated into at least 14 bioactive compounds,

including [4]-gingerol, [6]-gingerol, [8]-gingerol, [10]-gingerol, [6]-paradol, [14]-shogaol, [6]-

shogaol, 1-dehydro-[10]-gingerdione, [10]-gingerdione, hexahydrocurcumin,

tetrahydrocurcumin, gingerenone A, 1,7-bis-(4′ hydroxyl-3′ methoxyphenyl)-5-methoxyhepthan-

3-one, and methoxy-[10]-gingerol. The proportion of each individual component in a sample of

ginger depends on country of origin, commercial processor, and whether the ginger is fresh,

dried, or processed. Of the bioactive pungent components of Jamaican ginger, including [6]-,
[8]-, and [10]-gingerols and [6]-shogaol, [6]-gingerol appears to be the most abundant pungent

bioactive compound in most of the oleoresin samples studied.

Ginger root is used to attenuate and treat several common diseases, such as

headaches, colds, nausea, and emesis. Many bioactive compounds in ginger have been

identified, such as phenolic and terpene compounds. The phenolic compounds are mainly

gingerols, shogaols, and paradols, which account for the various bioactivities of ginger. In recent

years, ginger has been found to possess biological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-

inflammatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer activities. In addition, accumulating studies have

demonstrated that ginger possesses the potential to prevent and manage several diseases,

such as neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes mellitus,

chemotherapy-induced nausea and emesis, and respiratory disorders. [ CITATION Ann11 \l 1033 ]

Synthesis of the Study

With the aforementioned evidences, the researchers had come up with an idea that the

ginger (Zingiber Officinale) extract as alternative nasal inhaler could help people who suffer in

stuffy nose. From the given information on the related studies and literature, ginger can treat

several common diseases, such as headaches, colds, nausea, and stuffy nose. This study

could be a fundamental basis, which could be useful for further experimentation of future

researchers and may also benefit people.

 Chapter III
METHODOLOGY

This portion of the study presents the methods and procedures with the materials and

equipment used. It also includes the research design, research duration and locale, research

subject, data-gathering procedures, and statistical treatment of data.

Research Design

In this study, an experimental research was employed. According to Baht (2020),

experimental method of research is any research conducted with a scientific approach, where a

set of variables are kept constant while the other set of variables are being measured as the

subject of experiment. In this study, it is used to compare two variables – the control group

(commercially prepared product) and the experimental product (Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

extract as alternative nasal inhaler).

Research Duration and Locale

This study was conducted in Barangay Dumpay, Basista, Pangsinan. The materials

used were collected in the locality for 1 day and comprised another day for experimentation, 7

days testing, and 3 days for calculations, analysis, and interpretation of data including the

drawing of conclusions.

Research Subjects

The researchers used Simple Random Sampling on the faculty members of Turac

National High School constituting a total of 10 Science Teachers from Junior High School

Department who evaluated the experimental product. According to Ochoa (2017), Simple

Random Sampling is a sampling method in which all of the elements in the population—and,
consequently, all of the units in the sampling frame—have the same probability of being

selected for the sample.

Research Materials

The researcher used ginger and pan for extraction and nasal inhaler stick tube, cotton

wick, bowl and tweezer for setting up the nasal inhaler.

Equipment and Utensils

Table 1. Equipment and Utensils used in the Preparation of Ginger as Alternative Nasal Inhaler.

Equipment and Utensils Unit

Ginger
½ kilo
Cotton wick
3
Nasal Inhaler Stick Tube 3
Pan 1
Bowl 1
Tweezer 1

Process Flow Sheet

Gather all the materials needed.

Rinse the ginger.

Cut the ginger into tiny pieces.

Extract the ginger.

Put 5 drops of ginger extract on top of the cotton wick

Place the cotton wick on the bowl.

Use the tweezer to place back the cotton wick to the nasal inhaler stick tube.
 Put on the cap to close the nasal inhaler stick tube.

Figure 1. Flow sheet of the Processes undergone in making Ginger Extract as Alternative Nasal

Inhaler

Statistical Treatment

The researcher used the Chi-square for independent sample to compare the quality of

ginger extract as alternative nasal inhaler to commercially prepared product. This test

measures how a model compares to actual observed data. Chi-square tests are often

used in hypothesis testing. The chi-square statistic compares the size any

discrepancies between the expected results and the actual results, given the size of

the sample and the number of variables in the relationship [ CITATION Ada20 \l 1033 ].

Formula:

2 (O−E)2
X =
E

Where:

= Chi-Square

= observed frequency

= expected frequency

Range= (Highest score- Lowest score)/ Highest score

Chapter IV
 PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

This chapter presents the data gathered from the experimentation conducted by the

researchers. The gathered information was presented, analyzed and interpreted scientifically

and objectively in consonance with the statement of the problem.

Table 1A. Active constituents of ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Active constituents of ginger Biological activities

The antioxidant activity.

Gingerol and gingerol related compound Anti-inflammatory and anti-analgesic activity.
Anti-microbial activity.

Paradol Anti-microbial activity.

Shogoal
Anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activity.

Antioxidant activity.

Zingerone Anti-inflammatory action.

Anti-bacterial activity.

Zerumbone Anti-microbial activity.

1-Dehydro-(10) gingerdione Regulation of inflammatory genes.

Ginger flavonoids Antioxidant activity.

The researcher found out ginger (zingiber officinale) has the active constituents like

gingerol, paradol, shogoal, zingerone, zerumbone, 1-Dehydro-(10) gingerdione, and Ginger

flavonoids that could help stuffy nose.

Table 2A. Level of Acceptability of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract as an alternative nasal

inhaler in terms of appearance, smell and texture.

 Vicks Inhaler Ginger

Ratings
Texture Smell Appearanc Texture Smell Appearance
e

5 2 0 0 4 4 4

4 7 7 6 6 4 6

3 1 3 4 0 2 0

2 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 0 0 0 0 0 0

Average
Weighted 4.4 4.2 4.4
Mean

Based on the data gathered the researcher obtained an average weighted mean

of 4.4 in terms of texture, for the smell an average weighted mean of 4.2 was obtained

and for the appearance the average weighted mean of 4.4 was obtained which is. This

means that ginger extract as an alternative inhaler is acceptable in terms of texture,

smell, and appearance.

Table 3A. The significant difference between Ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract

as an alternative inhaler and commercially prepared product.

 Respondents
Observed Expected (O – E)2
O- E (O – E)2
Frequency Frequency E Both

A B Both A B Both A B A B A B

5 2 4 6 3 3 6 -1 1 1 1 0.33 0.33 0.66

-
4 7 6 13 6.5 6.5 13 0.5 0.25 0.25 0.04 0.04 0.08
0.5

-
3 1 0 1 0.5 0.5 1 0.5 0.25 0.25 0.50 0.50 1
0.5

2
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

10 10 20 10 10 20 1.50 1.50 0.87 0.87 1.74

Total

The table above shows the significant difference between Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

extract as an alternative inhaler and commercially prepared product. The chi-computed value

obtained is “1.74” at 0.05 level of significance having 4 degrees of freedom, the chi computed

value is less than the tabular value which is 9.488. This means that Ginger extract as an

alternative nasal inhaler is similar with the commercially prepared product.

Chapter V
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
 This chapter presents the summary or the research work undertaken, the conclusions

drawn and the recommendations made as an outgrowth of this study.

Summary of Findings

Based on the analysis of the data presented in the table on the research are as follows.

1. Based on the data gathered the active constituents of ginger (zingiber officinale) has the

following: gingerol, paradol, shogoal, zingerone, zerumbone, 1-Dehydro-(10)

gingerdione, and Ginger flavonoids.

2. Based on the data gathered the researcher obtained an average weighted mean of 4.4

in terms of texture, for the taste the researcher obtained an average weighted mean of

4.2 and for the appearance the researcher obtained an average weighted mean of 4.4.

This means that the Ginger extract as an alternative nasal inhaler is acceptable in terms

of texture, smell, and appearance.

3. The researcher obtained a chi-computed value of “1.74” at 0.05 level of significance

having 4 degrees of freedom. This means that the chi computed value is less than the

tabular value which is 9.488. This means that the Ginger extract as an alternative nasal

inhaler is similar with other commercially prepared product.

Conclusions

Based on the results, analysis and findings of the study, the researchers have drawn the

following conclusions:
 1. It was concluded that the the active constituents of ginger (zingiber officinale) has the

following: gingerol, paradol, shogoal, zingerone, zerumbone, 1-Dehydro-(10)

gingerdione, and Ginger flavonoids.

2. It was concluded that the ginger (zingiber officinale) extract as an alternative nasal

inhaler is acceptable in terms of texture, smell, and appearance.

3. The chi-computed value is less than the tabular value which means that there is no

significant difference between the ginger (zingiber officinale) extract as an alternative

nasal inhaler and the commercially prepared product. Therefore, the null hypothesis H0

was accepted. This means that the ginger (zingiber officinale) extract as an alternative

nasal inhaler is similar with the commercially prepared product.

Recommendations
Based on the findings and conclusions of the study, the researchers desire to purposely

recommend the following:

1. Similar studies should be conducted by future researchers, utilizing other herbal

products to improve the research study.

2. Add more criteria in testing the acceptability of ginger (zingiber officinale) extract as an

alternative nasal inhaler aside from texture, smell and appearance.

3. Similar study should be tested with larger samples or trials.

4. A letter should be distributed to the respondents before letting them test the

experimental product.

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