Ameliorative Effects of Ginger on Allergic Diseases: An Updated Review.

The hypersensitivity reaction of the immune system to harmless environmental substances causes allergic diseases. Today, about 22%-30% of the world's population suffers from allergic diseases. Since the probability of change in the genetic structure during the past decades of lives is very low, genetic disorders cannot be blamed for causing allergic diseases. Thus, factors such as air pollution, climate change, change in diet, increased antibiotics consumption, change in the gut microbiome, migration toward urban areas, and increase in airborne allergens should be considered as the main causes of the spread and increase in allergic diseases. Methods of preventing contact with allergens, drug treatment, and allergen-specific immunotherapy are used to treat allergic diseases. In recent years, the therapeutic efficacy of herbal compounds has been significantly investigated by the scientific community, because these compounds have very few side effects. Ginger is one of the plant compounds that have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. The ameliorative effects of this plant on allergic diseases have been identified. Therefore, the aim of this short review is to summarize the knowledge, which is available about the ameliorative properties of the compounds found in the ginger plant that can reduce the clinical symptoms of allergic diseases. The hypersensitivity reaction of the immune system to harmless environmental substances causes allergic diseases. Today, about 22%-30% of the world's population suffers from allergic diseases. Since the probability of change in the genetic structure during the past decades of lives is very low, genetic disorders cannot be blamed for causing allergic diseases. Thus, factors such as air pollution, climate change, change in diet, increase in antibiotic consumption, change in the gut microbiome, migration toward urban areas, and increase in airborne allergens should be considered as the main causes of the spread and increase in allergic diseases. Methods of preventing contact with allergens, drug treatment, and allergen-specific immunotherapy are used to treat allergic diseases. In recent years, the therapeutic efficacy of herbal compounds has been significantly investigated by the scientific community, because these compounds have very few side effects. Ginger is one of the plant compounds that have antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties. The ameliorative effects of this plant on allergic diseases have been identified. Therefore, the aim of this short review is to summarize the knowledge, which is available about the ameliorative properties of the compounds found in the ginger plant that can reduce the clinical symptoms of allergic diseases.

Ginger-derived nanovesicles attenuate osteoarthritis progression by inhibiting oxidative stress via the Nrf2 pathway.

Aim: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease. Previous studies demonstrated ginger-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (GDN) showed therapeutic effects in degenerative diseases. However, it remains unknown whether GDN could alleviate OA progression.Materials & methods: In this study, GDN were obtained and characterized. Then we evaluated the effects of GDN in tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)-induced chondrocytes, posttraumatic OA rat model and ex vivo cultured human OA cartilage explants.Results: We demonstrated GDN promoted cartilage anabolism and alleviated oxidative stress in TBHP-induced chondrocytes and OA rat. Our results also showed GDN exhibited protective effects in cultured cartilage explants. Furthermore, we verified the Nrf2 pathway was associated with protective effects of GDN.Conclusion: Altogether, our findings demonstrated GDN hold great potential for OA treatment.

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Evaluation of the Bone Formation Potential of Collagen/ß-TCP/Ginger Extract Scaffold Loaded with Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Rat Animal model: A Stereological Study.

Tissue engineering offers a new horizon for restoring the function of damaged tissues and organs. Here, bone regeneration potential of three-dimensional (3D) scaffold made of collagen/beta-tricalcium phosphate/ginger hydroalcoholic extract (COL-ß-TCP-GIN) loaded with stem cells was evaluated. The scaffolds with different component ratios were fabricated using a freeze dryer to obtain the optimum composition. The scaffolds' chemical, physical, and biological characteristics were evaluated using scanning electron microscope, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, tensile testing machine, and cytotoxicity assay. The optimum scaffold's bone repairing potential was assessed with loaded synovial membrane mesenchymal stem cells (SM-MSCs) in mandibular bone defect of a rat animal model after two months. The ß-TCP component up to 30% could increase the tensile strength of the freeze-dried scaffold. In comparison, the GIN up to 5% was selected as a sufficient amount to be incorporated with the scaffolds. The morphology of scaffolds showed a suitable porosity for cells to proliferate and migrate. In vitro cytotoxicity results showed that GIN increased the cell viability up to 7 days. Regarding in vivo bone regeneration study, histopathology and stereology assessments showed the mandibular bone formation in COL/ß-TCP/GIN scaffolds with SM-MSCs group significantly increased compared to COL/ß-TCP/GIN without cells and sham groups. These results demonstrated the effectiveness of COL/ß-TCP/GIN scaffold with SM-MSCs to induce bone formation, and this composite can be applied in dental and reconstructive surgery. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12663-022-01829-9.

Metabolic differences in Zingiber officinale Roscoe by geographical origin determined via multiplatform metabolomics and method for simultaneous analysis of six phenolic compounds.

Ginger, which is the rhizome of Zingiber officinale Roscoe, is widely distributed and consumed. The taste and aroma of ginger differ depending on its geographical origin. To distinguish the origin of ginger, ginger extracts from Korea, Peru, and China were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for metabolomics. Korean ginger contained more 10-gingerol, and Peruvian ginger contained more 6-gingerol and 8-gingerol. Several amino acids negatively correlated with gingerols, suggesting that amino acids are related to the biosynthesis of gingerols. Sugars, which are the main energy source, positively correlated with gingerols. Organic acids and gingerols were also positively correlated, indicating that both organic acids and gingerols are used for adaptation to the environment surrounding the root. We confirmed the features of the primary and secondary metabolites by verifying the correlation between metabolites and differences in metabolites according to ginger origin. We additionally optimized a simultaneous UPLC analytical method of marker compounds for the simple and rapid quality control of ginger. This method exhibits excellent linearity, sensitivity, and reproducibility. Using metabolomics, differences in origin were observed, and a low-end equipment analysis method for quality control can be used in the ginger industry.

Important Drugs and Its Patterns during the Late Goryeo Dynasty -Obtain and distribution of Bupleuri Radix and Ginger.

This article deals with drugs obtain and distribution during the Goryeo Dynasty. In particular, I analyzed the case of 'Bupleuri Radix', which corresponds to 'dot-ui minali' as Idu, an archaic Korean notation, and Ginger, which was intentionally introduced and cultivated in Goryeo. Drugs of the Goryeo Dynasty can be classified into 5 types. Drugs that use the Chinese character name as the name of Goryeo were type A, drugs that correspond 1:1 with the archaic Korean notation to the Chinese character name were type B, and drugs that have the Chinese character name translated directly into the Korean name were type C. And although it were originally the foreign drugs, the drugs cultivated in Goryeo were Type D, and the drugs imported from foreign countries were Type E. Among these, types B and D are particularly interesting. Bupleuri Radix and Ginger discussed in this article were representative examples of type B and D respectively. Looking overall, type B had the highest proportion, followed by type A. Type E was the next most common. On the other hand, type C and D were relatively small. However, regardless of the high or low proportion, these types coexisted and constituted the therapeutic drugs of the Goryeo Dynasty. In conclusion, during the Goryeo Dynasty, interest and use of local drugs, namely Hyangjae, greatly expanded.

Sustainable isolation of ginger (Zingiber officinale) herbal dust bioactive compounds with favorable toxicological profile employing natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES).

The usage of ginger (Zingiber officinale) has increased in recent years due to its positive effect on human health affiliated with its richness in gingerols and shogaols. This study optimized the Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) for better phenolic compounds isolation from ginger herbal dust (GHD), a filter tea industry by-product. The extraction was performed using raw and defatted GHD-previously processed by Supercritical fluid extraction - CO2. An additional advantage was using COSMOtherm software for 71 natural deep eutectic solvents (NADES) screening, to select the optimal one for GHD 6-gingerol recovery. As an optimal NADES, Malic acid:Glucose (MA:Glc) in the 1:1 ratio was determined. The optimal MA: Glc-based extract with a 6-gingerol content of 1.90±0.05 mg/g, an antioxidant activity of 321.28±5.09 µmol TE/g, and a favorable toxicological profile was obtained in 2 min of UAE under the sonication amplitude of 20 %, approving the benefits and the sustainability of the present study.

10-Gingerol reduces cytoplasmic lipid droplets and induces lipolysis in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

Obesity is a globally prevalent metabolic disorder characterized by an increased number of adipose cells and excessive fat in adipocytes. Herbal medicines, such as ginger, have shown potential in treating obesity by inhibiting adipogenesis and reducing adipocyte hypertrophy. Ginger contains bioactive compounds, particularly gingerols, which have demonstrated anti-adipogenic and/or lipolytic effects. However, research on the effects of 10-gingerol on adipose tissue remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of 10-gingerol on lipid content, lipolysis markers, and the expression of genes related to lipid metabolism in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Three groups were analyzed: a negative control (preadipocytes), a positive control (mature adipocytes), and a group treated with 10-gingerol (10-G). Results showed that 10-G reduced lipid accumulation by 42.16% in mature adipocytes compared to the control, without affecting cell viability. Additionally, 10-G increased glycerol release and downregulated lipogenic genes such as Pparγ, Acaca, Fabp4, and Mtor, while upregulating genes related to fatty acid oxidation, including Cebpα, Cpt1a, Lipe, and Prkaa1. In conclusion, 10-gingerol reduces lipid content in mature adipocytes by downregulating lipogenesis, increasing lipolysis, and enhancing fatty acid oxidation.

First Report of Bacterial Leaf Spot Disease on Ginger Caused by Enterobacter quasiroggenkampii in China.

In autumn 2023, an unknown leaf spot disease has occurred on ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) in two fields of approximately 1800 m2 in Yongning District (22°49'N; 108°48'E), Nanning, China, with a incidence of 20-30%. The symptoms began as yellow spots on the leaves, expanding into elliptical to irregular lesions with yellow edges, the middle of the lesion turning grey-white in dry weather. Finally, multiple spots caused necrosis of the whole leaf. Twelve diseased leaves from six plants of two fields were collected, surface disinfected and ground. The ground samples were diluted and plated on nutrient agar (NA) medium at 28 °C for 48-72 h. The purified colonies appeared milky white and round, with smooth edges. Three isolates (GL1, GL2 and GL3) were selected for identification and pathogenic determination. They were gram negative, could utilize sorbitol, mannitol, inositol, raffinose, melibiose, disaccharides, and citrate; negative for methyl red, phenylalanine decarboxylase, hydrogen sulfide, urease; positive for voges-proskauer test and ornithine decarboxylase. These characteristics were consistent with Enterobacter genus (Wu et al., 2020). Genomic DNA was extracted from three isolates. The 16S rDNA region was amplified using 27F/1492R primers (Weisburg et al. 1991) and sequenced (accession no. PP837703-PP837705). Blastn analysis revealed that 16S rDNA sequences for GL1 was 99% identical (1373/1387 nt), GL2 96% (1364/1422 nt) and GL3 95% (1365/1435 nt) to Enterobacter quasiroggenkampii WCHECL1060 (NR_179166). To determine the species, the sequences of gyrB, rpoB and atpD genes were amplified using primers gyrB 01-F/gyrB 02-R, rpoB CM7/rpoB CM31b, and atpD 01-F/atpD 02-R, respectively (Lin et al. 2015; Zhu at al. 2010; Zhang et al. 2013). The GenBank accession numbers for the sequences were PP857680-PP857688. A multilocus phylogenetic tree was constructed with the concatenated sequence of 16S rDNA-gyrB-rpoB-atpD by using the Neighbor-Joining (NJ) method with 1000 bootstrap replicates in MEGA6 software. The three isolates clustered with E. quasiroggenkampii. Fifteen Darou ginger variety plants at the 4-5 leaf stage were tested for pathogenicity. Two to three leaves of each ginger plant were pricked with a syringe needle of 0.36mm in diameter or not and inoculated by spraying the bacterial suspension (108 CFU/mL), sterile water was used as a control. Five plants were inoculated with each isolate and the test was repeated three times. After 3-4 days of inoculation, all wounded leaves and about 10% of the unwounded leaves showed symptoms similar to those observed in the field. Control plants did not develop symptoms. Enterobacter quasiroggenkampii isolates were re-isolated from the inoculated leaves with symptoms, and their identity was confirmed by gyrB sequencing and colony morphology, completing Koch's postulates. Enterobacter quasiroggenkampii is a pathogen of humans that can cause nosocomial infections (Wu et al., 2020). In Guangxi, E. quasiroggenkampii was identified as one of the pathogens causing mulberry wilt (Jiao, 2022). To our knowledge, this is the first report of E. quasiroggenkampii causing bacterial leaf spot disease of ginger. The results of this study not only have practical significance for the control of ginger leaf spot, but also can provide excellent materials for the study of the differentiation and pathogenic mechanism of the genus Enterobacter, which has important academic value.

Physicochemical properties, structure and biological activity of ginger polysaccharide: Effect of microwave infrared dual-field coupled drying.

Ginger was dried by microwave infrared dual-field coupled drying (MIDFCD). The composition, structure, physicochemical properties and biological activity of ginger polysaccharides at various stages of MIDFCD were investigated. The MIDFCD significantly impacted the chemical composition, molecular weight (Mw), microstructure, and physicochemical properties of ginger polysaccharides. However, there were no notable differences in functional group composition. The Mw and chemical composition were notably influenced by microwave-infrared exposure and prolonged drying time. The degradation of polysaccharides due to high temperatures in the later stage resulted in further decreases in Mw and alterations in monosaccharide composition. These changes in chemical composition and Mw affected thermal properties, crystallization properties, particle size, rheological properties, antioxidant capacity, and hypoglycemic activity. These findings suggest that MIDFCD enhances the quality and bioactivity of natural polysaccharides. This study offers theoretical support for MIDFCD processing and the value-added utilization of ginger.

6-Gingerol improves lipid metabolism disorders in skeletal muscle by regulating AdipoR1/AMPK signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: To delve into the precise mechanisms by which 6-gingerol ameliorates lipid metabolism disorders in skeletal muscle. METHODS: The level of triglycerides (TG) was used to evaluate lipid deposition. In skeletal muscle, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was employed to observe mitochondrial morphology. Additionally, PCR was applied to detect mitochondrial biogenesis, and levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), glutathione, r-glutamyl cysteingl+glycine (GSH) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) were measured to assess mitochondrial oxidative stress levels. In vivo, flow cytometry and immunofluorescence assays were conducted to quantify reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Furthermore, the Seahorse XF assays was utilized to assess mitochondrial respiratory capacity. Fluorescence confocal microscopy and molecular docking were applied to analyze the binding of 6-gingerol and adiponectin receptor 1 (AdipoR1). The expression of AdipoR1, AMPK, PGC-1α and SIRT1 were detected by Western Blot. RESULTS: In vivo, 6-gingerol could reduce body weight in mice induced by a high-fat diet, enhance metabolic profiles in plasma, decrease lipid accumulation in skeletal muscle and liver, and elevate adiponectin levels. In skeletal muscle, it could restore mitochondrial morphology, boost mitochondrial copy number and biogenesis, and mitigate oxidative stress. In vitro, 6-gingerol may directly interact with AdipoR1 to upregulate the expression of downstream proteins p-AMPK, SIRT1, and PGC-1α, leading to a reduction in lipid deposition, a decrease in ROS production, an increase in mitochondrial membrane potential, and an enhancement of mitochondrial respiratory capacity in C2C12 myotubes. CONCLUSION: 6-Gingerol ameliorated lipid metabolism in skeletal muscle by regulating the AdipoR1/AMPK signaling pathway.

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Effect of Ginger, Apple Cider Vinegar against Streptococcus Mutans, Enterococcus Faecalis and Candida Albicans.

Introduction: Oral infections are most frequently caused by three oral microorganisms: Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), and Candida albicans (C. albicans). Objectives: To evaluate antimicrobial potential of 10% ginger extract (GE) and apple vinegar against S. Mutans, E. faecalis, and C. albicans. Materials and Method: The GE and apple cider vinegar (ACV) were tested for microbiological evaluation to identify the inhibitory zone using the agar disk diffusion test against S. mutans, C. albicans, and E. faecalis. Result: The 10% ethanolic GE and ACV showed a maximum zone of inhibition zone against S. mutans, E. Faecalis, and C. albicans. The intragroup comparison was insignificant. Conclusion: Apple vinegar and 10% ethanolic GE were shown to have good antimicrobial properties against all three tested pathogens.

The use of ginger bioactive compounds in pregnancy: an evidence scan and umbrella review of existing meta-analyses.

BACKGROUND: Ginger is a commonly used nonpharmacological treatment for pregnancy-related symptoms including nausea and vomiting, inflammation, and gastrointestinal dysfunction. Determining the efficacy of ginger is particularly important during pregnancy and lactation when maternal and neonatal detrimental effects may be a concern. OBJECTIVE: This evidence scan and umbrella review aimed to assess the extent and quality of the evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of using dietary preparations of ginger during pregnancy and lactation. METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CAB Abstracts, and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts up to December 20th 2023 to identify maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with ginger use during pregnancy or lactation compared to placebo or conventional medicines. Outcomes for which a meta-analysis (MA) of intervention studies was identified were synthesized in an umbrella review. The AMSTAR-2 tool was used to critically appraise the reviews. The percent overlap in primary studies was calculated overall and pairwise for each included MA. Data extracted from each MA included the summary estimate of the effect of ginger, the formulation of the ginger treatment, gestational timepoint at intervention, population enrolled in the study, type of intervention, comparator intervention, and number of study participants. RESULTS: The evidence scan identified 90 articles relevant to ginger use during pregnancy and lactation. Seven MAs of ginger use for treating nausea and vomiting of pregnancy reported 22 independent studies with a 49% study overlap among them. The majority of the MAs found a significant positive effect of ginger on the improvement of nausea in pregnancy compared to placebo, or equivalence to conventional treatments, and no evidence of significant adverse effects. The quality of the MAs ranged from critically low to low. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence suggests that ginger is effective at reducing nausea in pregnancy; however, the included studies contained substantial heterogeneity and were of low quality. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Despite common use of dietary ginger preparations among pregnant populations, recent umbrella reviews of ginger use have not focused on the potential health outcomes of ginger consumption in this vulnerable population.

Changes in flavor profile of vegetable seasonings by innovative drying technologies: A review.

Seasonings like garlic, ginger, and scallion provide spicy and masking flavor or aroma in vegetables. However, the method or technique used for drying these spices can affect the flavor profile. Therefore, this review focuses on vegetable seasonings like ginger, garlic, and scallion, the characteristic flavor of fresh and dehydrated vegetable seasoning, and how drying methods (freeze-drying [FD], convective hot air drying [HAD], infrared drying, microwave drying [MW]), and other recent dryers (swirling fluidized bed [SFB], pulsed-vacuum dryer, relative humidity-convective dryer, etc.) affect the flavor profile of the common vegetable seasonings. HAD increases α-zingiberene, reduces gingerol, and forms ß-citral and citral in fresh ginger. FD increased sesquiterpenes, retained terpenoids, sulfides, and other volatiles in fresh ginger, and did not produce new volatile compounds (VOCs) in garlic. SFB drying better preserves 6-gingerol than FD and HAD. MW increases trisulfides and cyclic sulfur compounds in garlic. In general, drying, especially thermal drying reduces the VOCs in fresh garlic, ginger, and scallion and causes the formation of new VOCs.

The effect of curcumax on postpartum women's depression: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Postpartum depression is a major psychiatric disorder that affects the mother-baby attachment and may impair cognitive development of the child. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of curcumax (including ginger, turmeric, and black pepper) on postpartum depression in reproductive-aged women. Material and methods: This was a randomized controlled trial in which 124 women were recruited and randomly assigned into two groups of curcumax (n=62) and placebo (n=62) who consumed curcumax or placebo for 8 weeks (one capsule each day). Postpartum depression was measured using Edinburgh Depression Scale. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, independent t-test, and GEE. Results: The mean (SD) score of depression score was 15.83 (2.77) and 15.45 (2.97) before intervention, which reduced to 3.48 (4.29) and 7.22 (3.98) in the intervention and control groups, respectively after 4 weeks (p<0.0001). After eight weeks of intervention, these scores reduced to 1.72 (3.30) and 5.85 (3.67) in the intervention and control groups, respectively (p<0.0001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that curcumax significantly reduced the mean score of postpartum depression among reproductive-aged women. Because it is the first time this herb was used as an anti-depressant, its effective dose was not available. Therefore, further studies with higher doses of this herb are recommended. Clinical Trial Registration: https://irct.behdasht.gov.ir/search/result?query=IRCT20210822052254N1, identifier IRCT20210822052254N1.

Chitosan-ginger essential oil nanoemulsions loaded gelatin films: A biodegradable material for food preservation.

The alarming issue of food waste, coupled with the potential risks posed by petroleum-based plastic preservation materials to both the environment and human health necessitate innovative solutions. In this study, we prepared nanoemulsions (NEs) of chitosan (CS) and ginger essential oil (GEO) and systematically evaluated the effects of varying NEs concentrations (0, 10 %, 30 %, 50 %) on the physicochemical properties and biological activities of gelatin films. These films were subsequently applied to blueberry preservation. The scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the NEs were well-integrated with the Gel matrix, significantly enhancing the performance of the Gel films, including improvements of mechanical properties (tensile strength from 7.71 to 19.92 MPa; elongation at break from 38.55 to 113.65 %), thermal, and barrier properties (water vapor permeability from 1.52 × 10-9 to 6.54 × 10-10 g·m/Pa·s·m2). The films exhibited notable antibacterial and antioxidant activities due to the gradual release of GEO, thereby extending the storage life of blueberries. Moreover, the prepared composite films demonstrated excellent biodegradability and environmental friendliness, with the majority of the material decomposing within 30 days under soil microbial action. In conclusion, the active films loaded with NEs exhibit superior performance and hold significant potential for developing biodegradable materials for food preservation.

Functional Ginger-Derived Extracellular Vesicles-Coated ZIF-8 Containing TNF-α siRNA for Ulcerative Colitis Therapy by Modulating Gut Microbiota.

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) plays a causal role in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC), and anti-TNF-α siRNA shows great promise in UC therapy. However, delivering siRNA with site-targeted stability and therapeutic efficacy is still challenging due to the complex and dynamic intestinal microenvironment. Here, based on the functional plant-derived ginger extracellular vesicles (EVs) and porous ZIF-8 nanoparticles, we propose a novel TNF-α siRNA delivery strategy (EVs@ZIF-8@siRNA) for UC targeted therapy. Ginger EVs show strong colon and macrophage targeting, as well as robust resistance to acidic degradation in the stomach. Moreover, 6-shogaol in ginger-derived EVs displays anti-inflammatory effects, which enhance the treatment efficiency by cooperation with TNF-α siRNA. In vitro experiments reveal that ZIF-8 nanoparticles have high TNF-α siRNA loading capacity and promote siRNA escape from cellular lysosomes. In vivo experiments show that the TNF-α level is reduced more significantly in colonic tissue than other nontargeted inflammation related factors, showing a good targeting of this composite nanoparticle. Furthermore, gut microbiota sequencing results demonstrate that the nanoparticles can promote intestinal barrier repair by regulating the intestinal microbial balance and restoring the intestinal health of UC mice. Therefore, the developed EVs@ZIF-8@siRNA nanoparticles may represent a novel colon-targeted oral drug, providing a promising therapeutic strategy for UC therapy.

Zingerone attenuates concanavalin A-induced acute liver injury by restricting inflammatory responses.

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), an immune-mediated liver injury, plays an important role in the development and pathogenesis of several liver diseases. However, therapeutic alternatives for the treatment of AIH remain limited. Zingerone (ZIN) is a natural non-toxic phenolic compound extracted from ginger that possesses various pharmacological activities. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effect of ZIN on AIH using a mouse model of acute liver injury induced by concanavalin A (Con A). To establish liver injury, C57BL/6J mice were intraperitoneally administered ZIN, followed by 20 mg/kg Con A after 3 h. Thereafter, the liver and serum were collected for analysis. The results revealed that ZIN pretreatment significantly suppressed the elevation of liver injury markers induced by Con A exposure and improved the survival of mice. Additionally, ZIN significantly ameliorated liver histopathological injury, hepatocyte apoptosis, and oxidative stress. Notably, ZIN inhibited hepatic M1 macrophage polarization and decreased the expression of M1 macrophage-associated pro-inflammatory genes and cytokines, including interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-12, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). Western blotting analysis indicated that ZIN inhibited the phosphorylation of extracellular receptor kin, c-Jun N-terminal kinase, and p65 in vitro. Taken together, these results suggest that ZIN exerts a protective effect in the Con A-induced acute liver injury model by inhibiting M1 macrophage polarization and suppressing NF-κB, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and interferon regulatory factor signaling pathways. This highlights the possibility of using ZIN as a safe drug for the treatment of liver injury and provides a novel therapeutic direction for clinical studies on liver diseases.

10-Gingerol Increases Antioxidant Enzymes and Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation by Modulating Adipokines in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes.

BACKGROUND: Obesity increases reactive oxygen species production and alters adipokines levels, resulting in a low-grade chronic inflammation state, which contributes to tissue metabolic dysfunction. 10-gingerol, a phenol present in ginger, has shown potential anti-obesogenic effects in vitro. However, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of 10-gingerol have not been approached. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 10-gingerol on antioxidant enzymes' expression and adipokine production in 3T3-L1 adipocytes in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation. METHODS: 10-gingerol antioxidant capacity was assessed through Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) , Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), and radical scavenging activity of 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assays. 3T3-L1 cells were differentiated and stimulated with 100 ng/mL LPSs. Then, 15 µg/mL 10-gingerol was added for 48 h. The mRNA expression and protein abundance of antioxidant enzymes were evaluated by qPCR and Western blot, respectively. Adipokine levels were determined by ELISA. RESULTS: 10-gingerol showed low FRAP and DPPH values but a moderate ORAC value. Moreover, 10-gingerol increased Gpx1 and Sod1 but downregulated Cat expression. Additionally, 10-gingerol significantly increased CAT and GPx1 levels but not SOD-1. Finally, adiponectin and leptin concentrations were increased while resistin and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) were decreased by 10-gingerol. CONCLUSIONS: 10-gingerol presented antioxidant potential by increasing antioxidant enzymes and attenuated LPS-induced inflammation by modulating adipokines in 3T3-L1 adipocytes.

CaZingipain2 Acts Positively in Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Immunity against R. solanacearum.

Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the most important diseases in solanaceous plants, including peppers. It generally tends to be more serious under warm-temperature and moist (WM) conditions than at moist room-temperature (RM) conditions. Although immunity mechanisms at room temperature have been intensively studied, the mechanisms underlying WM conditions remain poorly understood. Herein, the pepper cysteine protease CaZingipain2 was expressed and functionally characterized in pepper immunity against R. solanacearum at WM conditions and at room temperature. The results showed that CaZingipain2 localized to the nucleus and was upregulated at the transcript level in pepper plants upon R. solanacearum infection under WM conditions (RSWM). Virus-induced gene silencing of CaZingipain2 significantly increased the susceptibility of pepper plants to RSWM, and was coupled with the downregulation of CaPRP1 and CaMgst3, which are specifically related to pepper immunity against RSWM, according to our previous studies, while its overexpression significantly reduced the susceptibility of N. benethamiana plants to RSWM compared to that of wild-type plants. In addition, our data showed that CaZingipain2 also acts positively in pepper immunity against R. solanacearum infection at room temperature by upregulating the SA- and JA-responsive PR genes, including CaNPR1 and CaDEF1. All these results indicate that CaZingipain2 improves pepper immunity against R. solanacearum under WM conditions and at room temperature by regulating different PR genes.

Characterization of Two Novel Viruses Within a Complex Virome from Flowering Ginger in Hawaii.

Flowering ginger (Alpinia purpurata) is economically and culturally important in Hawaii. In the past decade, a slow decline syndrome has impacted the production of this crop in the state. RNA sequencing analyses and virus indexing surveys were done on samples collected from four of the Hawaiian Islands. Viral sequences corresponding to six viruses were recovered from transcriptomic data from samples with virus-like symptoms. Canna yellow mottle virus (CaYMV, genus Badnavirus) and two novel viruses, Alpinia vein clearing virus (ApVCV, genus Ampelovirus) and Alpinia vein streaking virus (ApVSV, genus Betanucleorhabdovirus), were found at a moderate incidence in diseased plants. Conversely, three other viruses, including the two potyviruses, banana bract mosaic virus and bean common mosaic virus, and a badnavirus, banana streak GF virus, were also found but at a low incidence. Virus detection in potential insect vectors and transmission assays identified the mealybug Planococcus citri as a vector of CaYMV and ApVCV, whereas the aphid Pentalonia caladii was identified as a vector of the novel ApVSV. Both P. citri and P. caladii are common pests of flowering ginger in Hawaii. Transmission of ApVSV was achieved using P. caladii colonies either established in the laboratory or naturally feeding on infected plants, although no transmission was obtained using viruliferous aphids originally reared on taro (Colocasia esculenta). Our study provides insights into the potential association between viral infections and the observed decline symptoms of flowering ginger in Hawaii. However, more definitive studies are needed to link single or mixed viral infections with decline symptoms.