6-Gingerol anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties protect against heart and liver dysfunction in rats with sepsis

Abstract

Objective

To investigate the effect of 6-gingerol, active component of Zingiber officinale (Shēngjiāng), on sepsis-induced inflammation, oxidative injury, and organ damage in vivo.

Methods

6-gingerol was extracted from ginger, and its identity was confirmed with ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and TLC. Sepsis was induced via cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in all groups except for sham. Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham, CLP alone, 6-gingerol, ginger extract, hydrocortisone, and solvent. Treatments were administered intraperitoneally with a dose of 25 mg/kg. Biomarkers for inflammation, oxidative injury, and organ damage were assessed. Furthermore, heart and liver organs were stained with hematoxylin-eosin to determine the extent of sepsis-induced organ damage.

Results

6-gingerol with 98.9 % purity was extracted. Compared with CLP-alone, biomarker analyses indicated that 6-gingerol significantly attenuated sepsis-induced inflammation by decreasing the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and nuclear factor-κB. Furthermore, this bioactive constituent markedly reduced oxidative stress during sepsis by replenishing the levels of glutathione, increasing catalase, and decreasing malondialdehyde and superoxide. Moreover, organ damage assays showed that 6-gingerol substantially reduced the levels of cardiac troponin I, alanine aminotransaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, and lactate dehydrogenase, showing protective effects against cardiac and hepatic dysfunction. Similarly, rats treated with 6-gingerol had normal hepatic lobules, fewer Kupffer cells in minor regions of the liver, and lower necrosis and apoptosis in the myocardium.

Discussion

6-gingerol protects both heart and liver organs through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in septic rats.