Title:Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe; Family: Zingiberaceae) in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Review on the Existing Scientific Evidence and Way Forward
Volume: 20
Issue: 7
Author(s): Pankaj Prabhakar, Vijay Marakala, Dhanya Sacheendran, Thomas George, Rhea Katherine D'souza, Princy Louis Palatty and Manjeshwar Shrinath Baliga*
Affiliation:
- Research Unit, Mangalore Institute of Oncology, Pumpwell, Mangalore, Karnataka, 575002, India
Keywords:
Zingiber officinale, liver cirrhosis, inflammation, dyslipidemia, NAFLD, phytochemicals.
Abstract: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is today the most prevalent hepatic disorder
in the world. Although many pharmaceutical agents have been investigated for their potential to
prevent or treat NAFLD, currently, there is no standard treatment to manage this ailment. Reports
indicate that ginger and its phytochemicals gingerol and zingerone are effective in mitigating
NAFLD in experimental study models. Furthermore, randomised control trials have demonstrated
that ginger is also effective in preventing NAFLD in both adults and children. Mechanistic studies
suggest that ginger mediates these beneficial effects by activating many pathways, such as reducing
free radicals, dyslipidemia, and hepatic fat deposition. Concomitantly, ginger also increases antioxidant
enzyme levels and insulin-sensitive effects, and all these pharmacological actions provide
beneficial outcomes. In this review, the evidence from experimental and clinical trials has been emphasised.
In addition, an attempt has been made to identify the gaps for future study to address for
the benefit of the medical, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and agricultural businesses.
