Abstract
The effects of ginger on gastrointestinal disorders such as ulcerative colitis have been widely investigated using experimental models; however, the mechanisms underlying its therapeutic actions are still unknown. In this study, we investigated the correlation between the therapeutic effects of ginger and the regulation of the gut microbiota. We used dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to induce colitis and found that ginger alleviated colitis-associated pathological changes and decreased the mRNA expression levels of interleukin-6 and inducible nitric oxide synthase in mice. 16s rRNA sequencing analysis of the feces samples showed that mice with colitis had an intestinal flora imbalance with lower species diversity and richness. At the phylum level, a higher abundance of pathogenic bacteria, Proteobacteria and firmicutes, were observed; at the genus level, most samples in the model group showed an increase in Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group. The overall analysis illustrated an increase in the relative abundance of Lactobacillus_murinus, Lachnospiraceae_bacterium_615, and Ruminiclostridium_sp._KB18. These increased pathogenic bacteria in model mice were decreased when treated with ginger. DSS-treated mice showed a lower abundance of Muribaculaceae, and ginger corrected this disorder. The bacterial community structure of the ginger group analyzed with Alpha and Beta indices was similar to that of the control group. The results also illustrated that altered intestinal microbiomes affected physiological functions and adjusted key metabolic pathways in mice. In conclusion, this research presented that ginger reduced DSS-induced colitis severity and positively regulated the intestinal microbiome. Based on the series of data in this study, we hypothesize that ginger can improve diseases by restoring the diversity and functions of the gut microbiota.
Highlights
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic chronic inflammatory disease of the colonic mucosa, which starts in the rectum and usually continuously extends proximally through part of or the entire colon
Our findings revealed that ginger inhibited colitis progression, alleviated colon injury, and regulated the fecal microbiome
It has been proven that SASP altered the gut microbiome and restored the TNBS-induced gut dysbiosis in TNBS-induced colitis (Zheng et al, 2017)
Summary
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an idiopathic chronic inflammatory disease of the colonic mucosa, which starts in the rectum and usually continuously extends proximally through part of or the entire colon. The exact cause of UC is still unknown, but extensive research suggested that aberrant responses to environmental factors, genetic susceptibility, abnormal immune regulation, the intestinal mucosal barrier, and intestinal microecological changes contribute to the occurrence and development of UC (Heller et al, 2005; Dong et al, 2019). A more popular theory indicted that dysregulation of immune responses to microbes in the gut contributed to the occurrence, progression, and changes of UC (Zheng et al, 2017). The innate and adaptive immunity of the host can prevent the invasion of harmful bacteria, tolerate the normal microflora. Imbalance intestinal flora reduces intestinal immunity, resulting in overstimulation of intestinal mucosal immune response, contributing to the disease (Zhang et al, 2015)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
