Suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators production by ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) ethanolic extract and gingerol in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cells

Abstract

Chronic inflammation could lead to several life-threatening diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Ginger (<em>Zingiber officinale</em> Roscoe) has been used for many years to treat various diseases and health problems, including inflammation. This study was conducted to assess ginger ethanolic extract (GEE) and its compound gingerol’s potential as an anti-inflammatory agent by evaluating the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, COX-2, and NO in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. The safe concentration of GEE and gingerol for the RAW 264.7 cells were evaluated using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assay. The quantification of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, COX-2, was conducted based on the ELISA method, while the quantification of NO was conducted by the nitrate/nitrite colourimetric method. The results showed that GEE and gingerol were able to inhibit TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, COX-2, and NO production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. GEE has better anti-inflammatory activity than gingerol. GEE in the concentration of 50 µg/mL has the highest inhibition activity over positive control or inflammatory cells model. GEE exhibited good anti-inflammatory properties through reduction of pro-inflammatory mediators such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, COX-2 and NO. Thus, ginger ethanolic extract has a high potential in the treatment of inflammation-related diseases.