Role of bioactive components of ginger in management of osteoarthritis: a review

Abstract

ABSTRACTGinger and its beneficial role have been known for centuries but the anti-inflammatory properties and its active constituents in osteoarthritis gain attention. Ginger and its certain active constituents possess similar properties with synthetic drugs such as non-steroidal-anti-inflammatory drugs. Ginger is involved in inhibition of prostaglandin and leukotrienes by suppressing the stimulation of cyclooxygenase 1, cyclooxygenase 2, and 5-lipooxygenase. Ginger also plays a vital role in inhibition of several genes involved in the initiation of inflammatory response. These include cytokines, chemokines, and enzyme-encoding genes. Ginger possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and analgesic properties with the lack of gastrointestinal and renal side effects. The safe dosage of ginger is up to 2–2.5 g per kg body weight without any toxicity. Further studies on human trials are needed to confirm the therapeutic role of ginger in osteoarthritis. This review cleared that ginger have great bioactive profile and these active compounds have health beneficial agents in clinical aspects. This review provides an up-to-date knowledge regarding the effectiveness of the intake and application of ginger in the pain relief of osteoarthritis and improved the knee function.

Keywords

• Chemokines
• cyclooxygenase
• inflammation
• ginger
• osteoarthritis
• pain