ResearchIn-Press PreviewInflammation Open Access | 10.1172/jci.insight.138385

Anti-neutrophil properties of natural gingerols in models of lupus

Ramadan A. Ali,1 Alex A. Gandhi,1 Lipeng Dai,2 Julia K. Weiner,1 Shanea K. Estes,1 Srilakshmi Yalavarthi,1 Kelsey Gockman,1 Duxin Sun,2 and Jason S. Knight1

Published December 29, 2020 – More infoView PDF Abstract

Ginger is known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects, and has traditionally been used as an herbal supplement in the treatment of various chronic diseases. Here, we report anti-neutrophil properties of 6-gingerol, the most abundant bioactive compound of ginger root, in models of lupus and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Specifically, we demonstrate that 6-gingerol attenuates neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) release in response to lupus- and APS-relevant stimuli through a mechanism that at least partially dependent on inhibition of phosphodiesterases. At the same time, administration of 6-gingerol to mice reduces NET release in various models of lupus and APS, while also improving other disease-relevant endpoints such as autoantibody formation and large-vein thrombosis. In summary, this study is the first to demonstrate a protective role for ginger-derived compounds in the context of lupus, and importantly provides a potential mechanism for these effects via phosphodiesterase inhibition and attenuation of neutrophil hyperactivity.