Immunomodulatory effects of ginger extract in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Objective: The anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anti-oxidative characteristics of the ginger and several of its components have been indicated in some of experimental and clinical investigations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ginger extract on the expression of some immunological factor in a model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).Materials and methods: EAE was induced in C57BL/6 mice by immunization with myelin oligodendroglial glycoprotein emulsified in complete Freund s adjuvant. The mice were administered intra-peritoneally with ginger extracts or PBS, from day +3 to +30. On day 31, mice were scarified and the expression of IL-12, IL-17, IL-23, IL-27, IL-33, TGF-β, CCL20, CCL22, CCR4 and CCR6 in the spinal cord were determined by using real time-PCR. The serum levels of cytokines were measured by ELISA.Results: In PBS-treated EAE mice, the expression of investigated parameters in the CNS and the mean serum levels of some cytokines were significantly higher than those of healthy group. In ginger-treated EAE mice, the expression of IL-12, IL-17, IL-23, IL-33, CCL20, CCL22, CCR4 and CCR6 was reduced, while the expression of the IL-27 and TGF-β were significantly increased compared to PBS-treated EAE mice. The EAE clinical symptoms and the pathological scores were significantly lower in ginger-treated EAE groups. Conclusion: These results indicated that ginger extract modulates the expression of the immunological factors in CNS and serum of EAE mice.

Keywords:

Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis , Ginger , Immunological factors , Clinical symptoms