Botanical plants and natural remedies are used worldwide to provide flavor or spice to our food. Commonly, we forget that food is medicine- even better, it prevents and reverses diseases. The clinical application of multiple plants has resulted in positive outcomes when treating kidney disease by promoting detoxifying mechanisms and up-regulating nuclear transcriptional factors. Between these ancient remedies, ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) has been extensively applied as a promoter of gut health, anti-diabetic anti-hypertensive, with or without other bioactive compounds agent, as well as a potent anti-inflammatory.
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Ginger is commonly found in local markets as a root-like plant. It belongs to the family of Zingiberaceaeand, which originated in South-East Asia. Consequently, it is used in traditional herbal medicine due to its rhizome and is used as a spice in food for its fresh but spicy flavor. Besides this, ginger has been studied for its hepatoprotective properties due to its high concentration of phenolic acids such as gingerol and shogaols.
Indeed, 6-shogaol is the primary phenolic compound found in ginger. This component has been linked to the protection against oxidative stress in HepG2 cells. Also, 6-shogaol is an efficient Nrf2 inducer. On the other hand, 6-gingerol has proven to have a powerful antioxidant effect. Therefore, by merging these bioactive compoundsβ properties, ginger has been attributed to have detoxifying functions.
The clinical approaches of ginger appear to be varied and well studied. Its anti-inflammatory effects lead to the prevention and reversal of multiple diseases.
As a traditional herb, commonly used in botanical medicine for thousands of years, ginger has been used to treat gastrointestinal disease, rheumatoid disorders, also as an analgesic, antipyretic, chemopreventive agent. Besides this, ginger has been used as an antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory due to its ability to inhibit prostaglandin biosynthesis.
However, ginger extract supplementation has resulted in lower AST, ALT, and lipid peroxidation related to liver damage. Indeed, specifically, 6-shagaol-rich ginger extract is considered an antioxidant agent. The supplementation of this component is associated with an up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, GPx, and CAT and the preservation of GSH.
The hepatoprotective effect of ginger has been tested on mice with AFLD with effective results. Recently, a study with C57BL/6 AFLD induced mice fed with ginger over 28 days resulted in an elevated concentration of antioxidant enzymes: catalase, superoxide peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase. However, the AFLD-induced group showed higher triglycerides, total cholesterol, ALT, and AST compared with the control group. Furthermore, after the 28-day supplementation with ginger extract levels, these hepatic markers were recovered from normal ranges.
Ginger extract, specifically 6-shogaol, has been attributed to chemoprotective effects. Recently, a study with oral cancer-induced rats measured the effectiveness of 6-shagoal properties on 7,12-Dymethylbenz(a) anthracene (DMBA). The study consisted of 6 groups with six rats each, and group 1 was the control group treated with liquid paraffin. Group 2,3,4, and 5 were painted with DMBA thrice a week for 16 weeks until tumors started to show. Further, these three groups were supplemented with 6-shagoal at a dose of 10,20 and 40mg/kg. Lastly, group 6 received 6-shagoal at a dose of 40mg/Kg.
The final result showed exciting information. Indeed, phase I detoxification enzymes on the treated groups were significantly elevated. On the other hand, phase II biotransformation enzymes were drastically decreased in those groups treated with DMBA. Lastly, gingerβs supplementation on groups 2,3,4, and 5 resulted in a down-regulation of phase I enzymes and phase II enzymesβ activity. However, the 20mg/kg showed increased proficiency compared with the 10 and 40mg/kg ginger supplemented groups.
Also, the anti-inflammatory effects of ginger have been vastly recognized. Ginger extract supplementation can inhibit the expression of NFKaB and TNF-a in rats with liver cancer.
Nuclear factor-E2-relatedΒ factor 2 (Nrf2) is a regulator of cellular homeostasis, and it works as a redox-responsive factor. Besides, the induction of this transcription factor is linked with the prevention of hepatotoxicity. Furthermore, the Nrf2 depends on Kelch-like ECH-associated protein1 (Keap1)-Cul3 E3 ubiquitin ligase complex, which acts as a modulator and mediates the degradation of Nrf2. Consequently, when oxidative stress is present, the complex formed between (Keap1)-Cul3 and Nrf2 goes through a conformational change, which activates Nrf2. The started form of Nrf2 can translocate to the nucleus and binds to the antioxidant response element (ARE), located in the promoter region of Nrf2 genes.
Furthermore, the dimer formed by ARE and Nrf2 promotes a cascade reaction of activated detoxification and antioxidant enzymes. Consequently, gingerβs bioactive compounds react with (Keap1)-Cul3 cysteine residues, resulting in a diminished tagging of Nrf2, therefore, a reduced (Keap1)-Cul3- induced proteolysis of Nrf2. This enhanced and prolonged action of Nrf2 will generate a cascade of antioxidant enzymes and cytoprotective proteins to metabolize xenobiotics.
There are no clinical trials that link the anti-inflammatory effects of ginger with weight-loss or as a muscle promoter. Nevertheless, the American Heart Association recommends maintaining a normal weight for the prevention of several chronic diseases. Anthropometric measurement and body composition analysis may allow patients to follow this recommendation.
Ginger is commonly used as a spice. It is very easy to find it all around the different plates served in Asian culture. Now it has been integrated into the occidental cuisine as a flavor promoter. Regardless of its pungent taste, herbal medicine has used it through centuries to treat fungal infections. Nowadays, ginger is known for its chemoprotective effects, antioxidant properties, and hepatoprotective agent. The inclusion of ginger in our diet can be as simple as dropping a piece of the bark into our smoothies or drinking ginger tea.-Ana Paola R. Arciniega. Master in Clinical Nutrition
Ginger and lime tea:
Medium bark of ginger, peeled.
Lime, cut in slices
Water
In a kettle, add the three ingredients and bring them to a boil,
Once the tea is ready, pour it into a cup and enjoy! You can drink it hot or cold.
ReferencesΒ
Bak, Min-Ji, et al. β6-shogaol-rich extract from ginger up-regulates the antioxidant defense systems in cells and mice.βΒ MoleculesΒ 17.7 (2012): 8037-8055.
Liu, Chun-Ting, et al. βMetabolomics of ginger essential oil against alcoholic fatty liver in mice.βΒ Journal of agricultural and food chemistryΒ 61.46 (2013): 11231-11240.
Saleh, Mohammed Yerima, et al. βHerbal detox extract formulation from seven wonderful natural herbs: Garlic, Ginger, Honey, Carrots, Aloe Vera, Dates, & Corn.β Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research and DevelopmentΒ 7.3 (2019): 22-30.
Vipin, A. V., et al. βProtective effects of phenolics rich extract of ginger against Aflatoxin B1-induced oxidative stress and hepatotoxicity.βΒ Biomedicine & pharmacotherapyΒ 91 (2017): 415-424.
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Professional Scope of Practice *
The information herein on "Detoxifying Effects of Ginger" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
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Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, acupuncture, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.
We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.
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