ABSTRACT
Background: IL-17/IL-23 axis plays an important role in the pathogenesis of severalautoimmune diseases such as experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis [EAE] andmultiple sclerosis [MS]. The immunomodulatory properties of ginger are reported in previous studies
Objective: To evaluate the effects of ginger extract on the expressionof IL-17 and IL-23 in a model of EAE
Methods: EAE was induced in C57BL/6 miceby immunization with myelin oligodendroglial glycoprotein and then treated with PBSor ginger extracts, from day +3 to +30. At day 31, mice were scarificed and theexpression of IL-17 and IL-23 mRNA in spinal cord were determined by using realtime-PCR. The serum levels of cytokines were measured by ELISA
Results: ThemRNA expression of IL-17, IL-23 P19 and IL-23 P40 in CNS and serum levels of IL-17 and IL-23 were significantly higher in PBS-treated EAE mice than non-EAE group[p<0.003, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively]. In 200 mg/kg gingertreatedEAE mice the mRNA expression of IL-17, P19 and P40 in CNS and serum IL-23 levels were significantly decreased as compared to PBS-treated EAE mice [p<0.05,p<0.001, p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively]. Moreover, 300 mg/kg ginger-treated EAEgroup had significantly lower expression of IL-17, P19 and P40 in CNS and lowerserum IL-17 and IL-23 levels than PBS-treated EAE group [p<0.02, p<0.001, p<0.001,p<0.03 and p<0.004, respectively]
Conclusion: Ginger extract reduces the expressionof IL-17 and IL-23 in EAE mice. The therapeutic potential of ginger for treatment ofMS could be considered in further studies