Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Zingiber officinale: A Comprehensive Review of Its Bioactive Compounds and Therapeutic Potential

Zingiber officinale is commonly known as ginger which has been extensively studied for its anti-inflammatory properties. Numerous studies have demonstrated ginger's efficacy in mitigating inflammation through its bioactive compounds such as 6-gingerol, 6-shogaol and zingerone which modulate key inflammatory pathways. These compounds inhibit cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and lipoxygenase (LOX) by reducing the production of pro-inflammatory mediators like prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Ginger has shown potential in managing various inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, ulcerative colitis and psoriasis by decreasing nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activity and reducing oxidative stress. Clinical and preclinical investigation indicate that ginger possesses anti-inflammatory effect which is like that observed with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) but appears to be superior in terms of side effects especially in relation to gastrointestinal tolerance. Some studies that have been reported showed the efficacy of ginger in combating inflammation, however large-scale clinical trials are still required to prove the medical benefits of ginger in inflammatory diseases.