Ginger has been used for its exceptional medicinal value to treat many common ailments such as headaches, coughs and colds. Now, a new study indicates that using ginger, as a natural supplement, might prove beneficial in addressing inflammation and symptoms for people with various autoimmune disorders.
Published in the JCI Insight, researchers from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, describe how ginger affects neutrophils, a type of white blood cell, and aids to control inflammation.
The primary focus of the study was on the process of NETosis or the formation of structures known as neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). This is the process where specific immune cells (neutrophils) produce NETs, which are composed of DNA material combined with proteins that can destroy bacteria. Triggers, such as infections, immune responses and certain cellular signals can activate the NET-forming process.
The researchers of this study suggest that when healthy people consumer ginger, it makes their neutrophils less prone to NETosis. This is a significant discovery, as NETs resemble microscopic webs which can boost inflammation and clotting. These are essentially factors linked to various autoimmune conditions such as lupus, anti-phospholipid syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis.
In a clinical trial, the researchers observed that when healthy participants took a ginger supplement daily for a week (20mg of gingerols/day), there was an increase in a chemical called cAMP (5’-cyclic monophosphate). Elevated levels of cAMP subsequently hindered NETosis when exposed to triggers associated with certain diseases.
“There are a lot of diseases where neutrophils are abnormally overactive. We found that ginger can help to restrain NETosis, and this is important because it is a natural supplement that may be helpful to treat inflammation and symptoms for people with several different autoimmune diseases,” said Dr Kristen Demoruelle, associate professor of medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and co-author on the study.
Dr Jason Knight, associate professor in the division of rheumatology at the University of Michigan and co-author on the study further added, "Our research, for the first time, provides evidence for the biological mechanism that underlies ginger's apparent anti-inflammatory properties in people. There are not a lot of natural supplements, or prescription medications for that matter, that are known to fight overactive neutrophils. We, therefore, think ginger may have a real ability to complement treatment programs that are already underway. The goal is to be more strategic and personalized in terms of helping to relieve people's symptoms.”
The researchers believe that many people with inflammatory conditions are likely to ask their healthcare-providers whether natural supplements could be helpful for them or they already take supplements, like ginger, to help manage symptoms. Unfortunately, the precise impact on disease is often unknown.
Instead, the researchers hope that providing more evidence about ginger's benefits, including the direct mechanism by which ginger impacts neutrophils, will encourage healthcare-providers and patients to more strategically discuss whether taking such supplements as part of their treatment plan could be beneficial.
They are now hoping to use this study to unlock funding for clinical trials of ginger in patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases where neutrophils are overactive.
