Ginger and 6-gingerol prevent lipopolysaccharide-induced intestinal barrier damage and liver injury in mice.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation-related diseases present a significant public health problem. Ginger is a flavoring spice and medicinal herb with anti-inflammatory activity. This study investigated the preventive effects of ginger extract (GE) and its main bioactive component, 6-gingerol (6G), on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction and liver injury in mice. RESULTS: GE and 6G were orally administered to mice for seven consecutive days before LPS administration. After 24 h, the mice were sacrificed. GE and 6G were found to significantly reverse LPS-induced inflammation in the mouse ileum by modifying the NF-κB pathway. They also alleviated apoptosis in the ileum by downregulating Bax and cytochrome c gene expression and by inhibiting the caspase-3 pathway. Through the aforementioned mechanisms, GE and 6G restored the intestinal barrier by increasing ZO-1 and claudin-1 protein expressions. Gut-derived LPS induced inflammation and apoptosis in the liver; these effects were markedly reversed through GE and 6G treatment. 6G was the most abundant component in GE, as evidenced through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and accounted for >50% of total gingerols and shogaols in GE. CONCLUSION: The current results support the use of GE and 6G as dietary supplements to protect against gut-derived endotoxemia-associated inflammatory response and disorders. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

[The effects of Chinese national medicine of Huoxueruanjian compound on SMAD signal in hepatic stellate cell and its significance].

OBJECTIVE: In order to explore the roles of Huoxueruanjian compound on liver fibrogenesis and its molecular mechanism, this paper has investigated the Influence of blood serum with such traditional Chinese medicine compound on the expression of Smad3, Smad7 and procollagen alpha2(I) gene in hepatic stellate cell (HSC). METHODS: HSC-T6 was deal with different Concentration of blood serum medicine with Heluoshugan which was made by routine way. Then expression change of Smad3, Smad7 and procollagen alpha2(I) mRNA among each groups were observed by RT-PCR. Furthermore, the expression change of Smad3 protein were examined by Western blot. RESULTS: Expression of Smad3 and procollagen alpha2(I) mRNA as well as Smad3 protein had been downregulated after treating with blood serum medicine of Heluoshugan (P<0.01, P<0.05, respectively). The expression of procollagen alpha2(I) mRNA changed at the same tendency as those of Smad3. The role of blood serum medicine was significant difference between different concentration, P<0.05. And the expression of procollagen alpha2(I) mRNA changed in concentration-dependent manner. Blood serum medicine has no effects on the Smad7 mRNA. CONCLUSION: The anti-fibrosis roles of HuoXueruanjian Compound maybe influence the function of TGF-beta and Smad by nonspecific action, thereby inhibit the transcription of procollegan alpha2(I) mRNA and decrease the production of ECM. As regards Smad3, it may be facilitating the development of liver fibrosis when its expression increases. Otherwise, it manifest with anti-fibrosis role.