Hepatoprotective effects of zingerone on carbon tetrachloride- and dimethylnitrosamine-induced liver injuries in rats

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the hepatoprotective and anti-fibrotic effects of zingerone, one of the active components of ginger, against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)- and dimethylnitrosamine (DMN)-induced liver injuries in rats, respectively. Oral administration of zingerone (10 mg/kg) reduced CCl4-induced abnormalities in liver histology, serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels, and liver malondialdehyde levels. Zingerone treatment attenuated CCl4-induced increases in inflammatory mediators, including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, cyclooxygenase-2, and inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA levels. Western blot analysis showed that zingerone suppressed activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 and phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase, c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). Liver fibrosis induced by DMN (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) was ameliorated by administration of zingerone (10 and 20 mg/kg, orally). Zingerone treatment reduced DMN-induced elevation of hydroxyproline content and hepatic stellate cell activation. In conclusion, zingerone showed antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects in CCl4-intoxicated rats by inhibiting oxidative stress and NF-κB activation via blockade of the activation of upstream MAPKs. Moreover, zingerone had hepatoprotective and anti-fibrotic effects against DMN-induced liver injury suggesting its usefulness in the prevention of liver inflammation and the development of hepatic fibrosis.

Ginger ( Zingiber officinale ) prevents severe damage to the lungs due to hyperoxia and inflammation

“…In pathologic specimens, a reduced lamellar body expression pattern indicates severe lung injury that demonstrates decreased type II cells (33,41). In the current study, increased RAC and decreased thickness of the alveolar septa with remarkably reduced fibrosis and decreased SMA immunostaining, as well as better density of the lamellar body protein staining pattern, were present in the ginger-treated group (9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)42). Additionally, during the BPD process, increased apoptosis in lung tissue cells has been demonstrated (43).…”

“…Pups in the control group (21% O 2 for 14 days + placebo) and hyperoxia + LPS group (95% O 2 for 14 days + placebo) were administered oral saline (2 mL/kg), but pups in the hyperoxia + LPS + ginger group (95% O 2 for 14 days + ginger) were treated once a day from the first day of the study to the end of the study. In the present experiment, we used whole ginger since many different compounds in ginger have been determined to act in a synergic manner that suggests the importance of using whole ginger (8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17).…”

“…Ginger contains more than 60 different active ingredients, including volatile (hydrocarbons and sesquiterpenes) and nonvolatile (gingerols, shogaols, paradols, zingerone) compounds, in addition to various minerals, vitamins, and enzymes (8)(9)(10)(11)(12). Some studies have determined that the whole extract and different separated compounds of ginger have antiinflammatory (8,9), antimicrobial (13), and antioxidant properties (13,14), along with immunomodulatory (15), antifibrotic (16), and cytoprotective/regenerative actions on different organ systems with a very low degree of toxicity (17). However, the effects of ginger on lungs with BPD are not yet known.…”

Zingerone alleviates the delayed ventricular repolarization and AV conduction in diabetes: Effect on cardiac fibrosis and inflammation

“…One study indicated that the upregulation of myocardial pro-inflammatory genes (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6) and coronary thrombosis in rats with myocardial infarct induced by isoproterenol were both stopped by zingerone pre-treatment [ 38 ]. Furthermore, another study on CC14-intoxicated rats reported an association between the hepatoprotective effect of zingerone and its inhibiting effect on inflammation via suppression of activation of upstream mitogen-induced protein protein kinases [ 39 ].…”

The Effect of Red Ginger Ethanol Extract on Blood MDA Level of White Male Wistar Strain Rats Induced with Cigarette Smoke

“…Red Ginger has many chemical components such as pungeant principles, gingerols and shogaol [10]. Ginger has been used for respiratory therapy [11], because it has several compounds which function as antioxidants, anti-inflamatory, anti-microbial and anti-fibrotic agents [12]- [14]. The aim of this study is to prove the effect of red ginger ethanol extract on blood MDA level of white male Wistar strain rats induced with cigarette smoke.…”