[6]-Shogaol and [6]-Gingerol active ingredients may improve neuropathic pain by suppressing cytokine levels in an experimental model

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences, 2023 · DOI: 10.55730/1300-0144.5728 · Published: December 12, 2023

Alternative Medicine Immunology Pain Management

Simple Explanation

This study investigates the effects of ginger extract, specifically [6]-Shogaol and [6]-Gingerol, on neuropathic pain (NP) and associated neuroinflammation in rats with sciatic nerve injury. Neuropathic pain is a chronic condition resulting from damage to the somatosensory system, and neuroinflammation plays a significant role in its development. The research focuses on how these ginger components affect the spinal cord and cortex, examining their therapeutic potential in reducing inflammation and pain signals. The study uses a chronic constriction injury (CCI) model in rats to mimic nerve injury and subsequent neuropathic pain. The findings suggest that ginger treatment can alleviate pain behaviors by reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the cortex and spinal cord tissues. This indicates a potential therapeutic role for ginger in managing neuropathic pain by targeting neuroinflammation.

Study Duration

14 days

Participants

Thirty 3-month-old male 250–300 g Wistar Albino rats

Evidence Level

Not specified

Key Findings

1
Ginger treatment significantly improved locomotor activity and reduced thermal hyperalgesia in CCI rats, indicating a positive impact on pain-related behaviors.
2
The levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-18 (pro-inflammatory cytokines) were significantly decreased in both the cerebral cortex and spinal cord of CCI rats treated with ginger, demonstrating its anti-inflammatory effect.
3
GC–MS analysis identified trans-[6]-shogaol (13.34%) and [6]-gingerol (6.37%) as major phenolic components in ginger extract.

Research Summary

This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effects of ginger extract, enriched with trans-[6]-shogaol and [6]-gingerol, on neuroinflammation in the spinal cord and cortex of rats with experimental sciatic nerve injury induced via the CCI model. The results indicated that ginger treatment significantly improved locomotor activity and reduced thermal hyperalgesia in CCI rats. Furthermore, the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-18 were significantly decreased in both the cerebral cortex and spinal cord of CCI rats treated with ginger. The study concludes that ginger extract, particularly its phenolic components trans-[6]-shogaol and [6]-gingerol, has a therapeutic effect on neuropathic pain by regulating cytokine levels and reducing neuroinflammation in the central nervous system.

Practical Implications

Potential Therapeutic Agent

Ginger extract, rich in [6]-shogaol and [6]-gingerol, may serve as a potential therapeutic agent for managing neuropathic pain.

Targeting Neuroinflammation

The study supports the idea of targeting neuroinflammation as a viable strategy for alleviating neuropathic pain.

Combination Therapies

Antioxidant treatment strategies, like ginger extract, could be used alone or in combination with other therapies to improve neuropathic pain management.

Study Limitations

1
The study used only male rats, and sex differences in pain sensitivity were not investigated.
2
The long-term effects of phenolic compounds from ginger extract were not examined.
3
Free radical levels and apoptosis pathways leading to neuroinflammation were not investigated.

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