Could Powdered Ginger Suppress Seasonal Allergy Symptoms?

Adding powdered ginger to meals may help to ease symptoms in patients with seasonal allergies, according to a recent study.

Previous research has revealed potential medical applications of ginger and its extracts, which feature antinausea, antiinflammation, antipyresis, and analgesia properties.
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In a new study, researchers examined the antiallergic effects of ginger and 6-gingerol, a major component of ginger.

In a mouse model of allergic rhinitis, mice were randomized to either a diet containing 2% powdered ginger or a control diet. After 2 weeks, the mice in the ginger group received injections of the egg protein ovalbumin (OVA). Mice in the control group were randomized between injections of OVA or placebo.

After another 2 weeks, researchers induced symptoms of allergic rhinitis by exposing them to OVA nasally. Overall, mice on the ginger diet sneezed an average of 2.1 times, compared to 15.2 sneezes per mouse in the OVA-injected group and 1 sneeze in mice who had received placebo injections.

The mice in the ginger group also had lower levels of the allergic antibody immunoglobulin E and mast cells (which release histamines, causing allergy symptoms) than controls.

6-gingerol, the researchers explained, also suppressed the activation of T lymphocytes, white blood cells that play a critical role in the development of allergy symptoms.

“Our results demonstrate that 6-gingerol suppresses cytokine production for T cell activation and proliferation, thereby not causing B cell and mast cell activation and resulting in prevention or alleviation of allergic rhinitis symptoms,” they concluded.

—Michael Potts

Reference:
Kawamoto Y, Ueno Y, Nakahashi E, et al. Prevention of allergic rhinitis by ginger and the molecular basis of immunosuppression by 6-gingerol through T cell inactivation. August 31, 2015 [epub ahead of print]. DOI: dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jnutbio.2015.08.025.