Anti-inflammatory effect of ginger and possible signaling pathway

Abstract

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) has been used in both traditional and contemporary natural medicine, with over 115 described components of fresh and dried ginger. Among these components, the phenolic compounds: gingerol and shoagol have been broadly studied and these molecules have different properties, such as antipyretic, analgesic, angiogenesis inhibitor, immunomodulatory activities, among others. This review aims to present the components of ginger as well as its antagonistic effect on LPS, anti - inflammatory property and possible signaling pathway involved. The effect of ginger on lipopolysaccharide (LPS) consists in inhibiting the production of interleukin 12 (IL-12), resulting in reduced activation of macrophages induced by LPS; decreased expression of co-stimulatory molecules and MHC class II expression and reduced IL-2, impairing the activation and proliferation of CD4 + T cells. The anti-inflammatory property of the compound is associated with the ability to modulate T lymphocyte, in order to inhibit eosinophilia, reducing the amount of mast cells and inhibit the release of IL-4 and the Th2 response. Furthermore, ginger inhibits translocation of the p65 subunit to the nucleus and inhibits phosphorylation of IkB - ? complex, resulting in decreased levels of COX-2. We can conclude that components of ginger may act antagonistically on the effect of LPS activation of macrophages, leading to immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. The more likely affected signaling pathway is NF-?B with involvement of MAP kinase.