The ginger extract could improve diabetic retinopathy by inhibiting the expression of e/iNOS and G6PDH, apoptosis, inflammation, and angiogenesis

Abstract

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes, caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the retina. It is the result of damage to the small blood vessels and neurons of the retina. Ginger and its phytochemical compounds can improve oxidative damage and inflammation. However, the effects of this plant on ocular expression G6PDH and e/iNOS, eye cell apoptosis, and angiogenesis are not well known in this tissue. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of ginger extract on rats with type 2 diabetic retinopathy. Thirty‐two Wistar rats were randomly divided into four controlled and treated groups. The serum level of metabolic factors such as lipid profiles, insulin and glucose, and the level of oxidative biomarkers along with the TNF‐α level in eye tissue were measured. The expression of NF‐κB, VEGF, BAX, Bcl‐2, caspase‐3, e/iNOS, and G6PDH in eye tissue was measured. Serum levels of lipid profiles, glucose, and insulin, oxidative and inflammatory markers were significantly increased in the diabetic group compared to control. While, treatment with ginger extract could significantly improve these factors in diabetic rats. Moreover, the ocular expression of e/iNOS, G6PDH, VEGF, NF‐κB, and genes involved in apoptosis was changed in diabetic rats. However, treatment with ginger extract could ameliorate these changes in the diabetic‐treated group. It can be concluded that ginger extract could improve diabetic retinopathy by inhibiting oxidative damage, inflammation, iNOS, VEGF, apoptosis, and improving eNOS and G6PDH. Practical applications Microvascular complications of diabetes such as retinopathy can be one of the main causes of disability in people with diabetes. Chronic hyperglycemia, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis cause diabetic retinopathy through retinal damage. Ginger, on the other hand, is an available, inexpensive, and uncomplicated medicinal plant that contains more than 20 different phytochemicals, such as gingerol and shogaol, which have anti‐inflammatory, antioxidant, antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic properties. The results of our study showed well that the ginger extract could improve diabetic retinopathy by inhibiting the expression of e/iNOS and G6PDH and oxidative damage, apoptosis, inflammation, and angiogenesis. Therefore, ginger and its compounds can be a good option to improve the complications of diabetes.

The combination of ginger and zinc supplement could improve lead‐induced reproductive dysfunction by inhibiting apoptosis mediated by oxidative damage and inflammation

“…In this study, the measurement of total phenol content and total antioxidant capacity in line with the results of previous studies (Akbari et al, 2017; Fathi et al, 2021; Ma & Li, 2022) showed that ginger has a high antioxidant power, which can be due to the high content of flavonoids and phenols in this medicinal plant. In addition, the results of HPLC analysis from Ma and Li (2022) showed that 6‐gingerol, 6‐shogaol, and 8‐gingerol are the main components of ginger, which causes its pharmacological properties especially antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities. Moreover, it has been well shown that ginger can inhibit oxidative damage and its related outcomes by increasing the expression of Nrf2 and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and inhibiting the production of MDA (Ahmed Mustafa et al, 2021; Li et al, 2022).…”

“…In this study, the measurement of total phenol content and total antioxidant capacity in line with the results of previous studies (Akbari et al, 2017;Fathi et al, 2021;Ma & Li, 2022) showed that ginger has a high antioxidant power, which can be due to the high content of flavonoids and phenols in this medicinal plant. In addition, the results of HPLC analysis from Ma and Li (2022) showed that 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol, and 8-gingerol are the main components of ginger, which causes its pharmacological properties especially antioxidant and antiinflammatory activities. Moreover, it has been well shown that ginger can inhibit oxidative damage and its related outcomes by increasing the expression of Nrf2 and increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and inhibiting the production of MDA (Ahmed Mustafa et al, 2021;Li et al, 2022).…”

“…Ma and Li (2022) reported that “ginger extract could improve diabetic retinopathy by inhibiting the expression of e/iNOS and G6PDH, apoptosis, inflammation, and angiogenesis” (Ma & Li, 2022). The findings of these studies suggested well that ginger has an effective role in improving damage induced by ethanol, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes in various tissues through various mechanisms.…”

“…Akbari et al (2020) showed that "ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) extract can improve the levels of some trace elements and total homocysteine and prevent oxidative damage induced by ethanol in rat eye" (Akbari et al, 2020). Ma and Li (2022) reported that "ginger extract could improve diabetic retinopathy by inhibiting the expression of e/iNOS and G6PDH, apoptosis, inflammation, and angiogenesis" (Ma & Li, 2022). The findings of these studies suggested well that ginger has an effective role in improving damage induced by ethanol, metabolic syndrome, and diabetes in various tissues through various mechanisms.…”

A systematic review and meta-analysis on alcohol consumption and risk of endometriosis: an update from 2012

“…Despite decades of research efforts, the comprehension of endometriosis pathophysiology is still elusive and inconclusive [2][3][4][5] , but a unique cause seems not plausible. As for other chronic illnesses 6,7 , genetics and inflammation could be a common denominator of different pathogenetic mechanisms 8 . The pathway pain-stress-inflammation could play a key role in the development, progression, and exacerbations of endometriosis.…”