Therapeutic health effects of ginger (Zingiber officinale): updated narrative review exploring the mechanisms of action

Abstract

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) has been investigated for its potentially therapeutic effect on a range of chronic conditions and symptoms in humans. However, a simplified and easily understandable examination of the mechanisms behind these effects is lacking and, in turn, hinders interpretation and translation to practice, and contributes to overall clinical heterogeneity confounding the results. Therefore, drawing on data from nonhuman trials, the objective for this narrative review was to comprehensively describe the current knowledge on the proposed mechanisms of action of ginger on conferring therapeutic health effects in humans. Mechanistic studies support the findings from human clinical trials that ginger may assist in improving symptoms and biomarkers of pain, metabolic chronic disease, and gastrointestinal conditions. Bioactive ginger compounds reduce inflammation, which contributes to pain; promote vasodilation, which lowers blood pressure; obstruct cholesterol production, which regulates blood lipid profile; translocate glucose transporter type 4 molecules to plasma membranes to assist in glycemic control; stimulate fatty acid breakdown to aid weight management; and inhibit serotonin, muscarinic, and histaminergic receptor activation to reduce nausea and vomiting. Additional human trials are required to confirm the antimicrobial, neuroprotective, antineoplastic, and liver- and kidney-protecting effects of ginger. Interpretation of the mechanisms of action will help clinicians and researchers better understand how and for whom ginger may render therapeutic effects and highlight priority areas for future research.

Clinical dermatologic applications of ginger: a focused review

“…31 Ginger is demonstrated to increase the expression of PPARa and PPARY as well as increase the expression of LDL receptors. 32 The mechanism for the metabolic benefits of ginger has also been shown to be possibly related to increased sensitivity of insulin receptor. 32 Ginger has also been demonstrated to exert considerable effects on lowering blood pressure.…”

Ginger Update

“…Furthermore, significant decreases in the blood oxidative stress marker malondialdehyde and increases in total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase activity were observed for those receiving ginger supplementation, compared with controls 96,98,99 . Comprehensive summaries of preclinical and clinical investigations examining ginger's potential mechanisms of action were recently published 11,14,100–105 . Further insights into modulation by ginger of cellular and molecular pathways involved in antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, neurological, and hormonal responses to this spice are needed.…”

“…There is evidence that oral administration of ginger can significantly lessen the severity but not the duration of the pain of primary dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation), compared with controls. 11,12,[51][52][53][54]92 Moreover, ginger appears to be similar in efficacy to other nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug analgesics in relieving menstrual pain. It was suggested that ginger may be a potential adjunct treatment for women unable to use conventional medications.…”

“…96,98,99 Comprehensive summaries of preclinical and clinical investigations examining ginger's potential mechanisms of action were recently published. 11,14,[100][101][102][103][104][105] Further insights into modulation by ginger of cellular and molecular pathways involved in antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, neurological, and hormonal responses to this spice are needed.…”

“…Ginger has been a part of traditional medicine for thousands of years treating such ailments as gastrointestinal disorders, nausea, pain, cold, and asthma. However, in the past 10 to 15 years, a considerable number of published preclinical and clinical studies have explored in more detail the potential of ginger to ameliorate diverse conditions such as nausea and vomiting (NV), the metabolic syndrome, and pain due to various conditions 10–13 . This narrative review provides an update on the clinical evidence related to potential benefits of ginger, gaps still needing exploration, and discusses future research opportunities.…”