Ginger and derivatives as promising antibiotics-independent options to tackle infections caused by bacterial including multi-drug resistant pathogens – A review

Antibiotics have revolutionized medicine and drastically reduced mortality from bacterial infections. However, the widespread misuse of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine, but also farming has greatly accelerated the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens hampering treatment of infectious diseases. Therefore, novel anti-infectious treatment concepts applying antibiotic-independent natural compounds are highly appreciated. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) has been proposed as such promising candidate given its health-beneficial including anti-microbial effects. Therefore, our systematic literature review summarizes current evidence for anti-bacterial effects of ginger and derived molecules to elaborate perspectives for treatment options of infectious diseases caused by bacterial pathogens. The included 22 articles revealed that defined ginger extracts, essential oils, and distinct molecules including gingerol and shogaol i) inhibited growth of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria including MDR isolates and ii) reduced distinct bacterial virulence factors including biofilm formation. Furthermore, iii) application of ginger together added to other plant-derived compounds or synthetic antibiotics markedly enhanced anti-bacterial effects of the latter, whereas iv) ginger could also exert immune-modulatory including anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities in vitro and in vivo. In conclusion, ginger-derived molecules constitute promising alternative or adjunct antibiotics-independent options in the combat of infectious diseases caused by bacterial pathogens including MDR strains.