Ginger extract inhibits LPS induced macrophage activation and function - IL-12, TNF-alpha, IL-1

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Ginger extract inhibits LPS induced macrophage activation and function

Sudipta Tripathi email, Bruch email and Dilip S Kittur email

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2008,

8:1doi:10.1186/1472-6882-8-1

Published: 3 January 2008

http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6882/8/1/abstract

PDF <http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/1472-6882-8-1.pdf>

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Background

Macrophages play a dual role in host defence. They act as the first line

of defence by mounting an inflammatory response to antigen exposure and

also act as antigen presenting cells and initiate the adaptive immune

response. They are also the primary infiltrating cells at the site of

inflammation. Inhibition of macrophage activation is one of the possible

approaches towards modulating inflammation. Both conventional and

alternative approaches are being studied in this regard. Ginger, an

herbal product with broad anti inflammatory actions, is used as an

alternative medicine in a number of inflammatory conditions like

rheumatic disorders. In the present study we examined the effect of

ginger extract on macrophage activation in the presence of LPS stimulation.

Methods

Murine peritoneal macrophages were stimulated by LPS in presence or

absence of ginger extract and production of proinflammatory cytokines

and chemokines were observed. We also studied the effect of ginger

extract on the LPS induced expression of MHC II, B7.1, B7.2 and CD40

molecules. We also studied the antigen presenting function of ginger

extract treated macrophages by primary mixed lymphocyte reaction.

Results

We observed that ginger extract inhibited IL-12, TNF-alpha, IL-1 (pro

inflammatory cytokines) and RANTES, MCP-1 (pro inflammatory chemokines)

production in LPS stimulated macrophages. Ginger extract also down

regulated the expression of B7.1, B7.2 and MHC class II molecules. In

addition ginger extract negatively affected the antigen presenting

function of macrophages and we observed a significant reduction in T

cell proliferation in response to allostimulation, when ginger extract

treated macrophages were used as APCs. A significant decrease in

IFN-gamma and IL-2 production by T cells in response to allostimulation

was also observed.

Conclusions

In conclusion ginger extract inhibits macrophage activation and APC

function and indirectly inhibits T cell activation.