Activated macrophages are present in high concentrations in a number of inflammatory lesions. The most common inflammatory cell identified in active central nervous system lesions of multiple sclerosis is, for example, the macrophage.
The study briefly summarized below may have implications on the possible use of ginger extract in the treatment of multiple sclerosis, especially to the extent that ginger extract was associated with a significant reduction in T cell proliferation in response to allostimulation – thought to be important in the pathology of multiple sclerosis.
But even beyond multiple sclerosis, macrophages and T-cells play an essential role in autoimmune disease, and in chronic inflammation generally – suggesting the possible benefits of ginger in the treatment of a very broad spectrum of conditions.
The publication:
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BMC Complement Altern Med. 2008 Jan 3;8:1.
Ginger extract inhibits LPS induced macrophage activation and function.
Tripathi S, Bruch D, Kittur DS.
Dept of Surgery, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA.
Summary of the abstract
Inhibition of macrophage activation is one of the possible approaches towards modulating inflammation. Both conventional and alternative approaches are being studied in this regard.
Ginger, an herbal product with broad anti inflammatory actions, is used as an alternative medicine in a number of inflammatory conditions like rheumatic disorders. The present study examined the effect of ginger extract on macrophage activation in the presence of LPS stimulation.
We observed that ginger extract inhibited IL-12, TNF-alpha, IL-1beta (pro inflammatory cytokines) and RANTES, MCP-1 (pro inflammatory chemokines) production in LPS stimulated macrophages.
Ginger extract also down regulated the expression of B7.1, B7.2 and MHC class II molecules.
In addition ginger extract negatively affected the antigen presenting function of macrophages and we observed a significant reduction in T cell proliferation in response to allostimulation, when ginger extract treated macrophages were used as APCs. A significant decrease in IFN-gamma and IL-2 production by T cells in response to allostimulation was also observed.
In conclusion ginger extract inhibits macrophage activation and APC function and indirectly inhibits T cell activation.
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