Expert Insights on Anticancer Potential of Ginger: A promising natural therapeutic strategy

Every year, millions of new cases of cancer are diagnosed, making it a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy have significantly improved patient survival rates, but they also commonly cause severe side effects that can lower a patient's quality of life. Natural substances with possible medicinal uses have drawn more attention recently; ginger (Zingiber officinale) is one such example. Because of its strong anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer qualities, this humble root—a mainstay in both traditional medicine and cooking—has been the subject of much research. According to recent research, ginger and its active ingredients may be a useful adjunct to cancer treatment, which is why the scientific community is paying close attention to it.

Gingerols, shogaols, and paradols are among the many bioactive substances found in ginger that greatly enhance its pharmacological qualities. These substances are especially notable because 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol have been shown to have strong anticancer effects. These substances function in a number of ways, most notably by preventing the growth of cancer cells, encouraging apoptosis, inhibiting the development of new blood vessels in tumors, and reducing the ability of cancer cells to spread to other organs (metastasis).

The significance of preventative phytochemicals, such as ginger and its bioactive components, in controlling inflammatory pathways—a major driver of cancer development—has been underlined by a number of studies and reviews.

Chronic inflammation is known to promote DNA damage, cellular mutations, and immune avoidance, all of which create an environment that is favorable for the proliferation of cancer cells. These processes are resisted by ginger's anti-inflammatory qualities, which lowers the chance of cancer development and progression.

One of the main mechanisms that ginger affects is the Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-κB) signaling system, which is important for inflammation, immunological response, and cancer cell survival. A bioactive ingredient of ginger (6-gingerol) inhibits NF-κB activation, which in turn reduces the expression of genes associated with tumor growth and resistance to programmed cell death, as I showed in one of my investigations.

Furthermore, it has been found that the bioactive chemicals in ginger affect the PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways, which are essential for cell survival and proliferation.

Modulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels is another possible way that ginger may have anticancer effects. Our 2019 study demonstrated the antioxidant potential of ginger by demonstrating that its rich fraction (gingerol rich fraction) dramatically decreased the amount of oxidative stress caused by acrylonitrile in a mouse model. In the lipopolysaccharide neuroinflammatory mouse model, we also demonstrated that 6-gingerol, an active ingredient in ginger, decreased the degree of oxidative stress. The research's findings have been approved for publishing in a respectable journal.

These two studies, along with those conducted by other researchers, examined the connection between oxidative stress and the development of cancer, emphasizing the importance of antioxidants in scavenging harmful free radicals. Additionally, we are about to submit a review in which we clarify the pharmacological, therapeutic, and antioxidant function of ginger and its bioactive constituents in lowering oxidative damage and protecting against mutations that may eventually lead to the development of cancer.
Ginger has been proven to be effective against a variety of cancer types, including breast, colorectal, prostate, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer, in both in vitro (lab-based) and in vivo (animal-based) trials.

According to studies, 6-shogaol causes breast cancer cells to die by activating the p53 tumor suppressor gene and decreasing Notch signaling pathway activity, which is often overactive in aggressive cancer types.

Additionally, research has demonstrated that ginger extract can reduce tumor size and growth in colorectal cancer via altering the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. As shown in earlier studies, the association between Wnt signaling and its effects on cell motility and cancer growth has been thoroughly examined in current cancer research. In models of prostate cancer, ginger extract has been demonstrated to inhibit androgen receptor signaling, which is essential for the formation of prostate tumors.

Human clinical trials examining ginger's possible anticancer benefits are currently somewhat limited, despite preliminary research showing encouraging results. Ginger pills may reduce inflammation, alleviate nausea associated with chemotherapy, and improve cancer patients' overall quality of life, according to preliminary study. To establish regular dosage levels and increase its efficacy as a supplemental medication, more research is needed.

Biomedical experts may infer, based on all of these scientific findings, that ginger shows great potential as a natural anticancer agent or medication, but it is not a stand-alone cancer treatment. Its actual value resides in its capacity to enhance other therapies, which may result in fewer adverse effects and increased efficacy.

Incorporating ginger into one's diet, creating standardized extracts for medical use, and using ginger in combination with conventional drugs are some possible future uses for ginger in cancer treatment.
Furthermore, the bioavailability and targeted distribution of ginger's active components may be improved by developments in nanotechnology, ensuring the greatest possible therapeutic advantage. To fully utilize ginger as a potential anticancer treatment, collaboration between pharmacologists, oncologists, and biochemists will be essential.

Ginger has long been prized for its health advantages in traditional medicine, and contemporary cancer treatment is finally starting to recognize its potent anticancer properties. According to research, it may be involved in controlling important cancer pathways, reducing oxidative stress, and promoting cancer cell death.

Although more research is required to completely understand ginger's therapeutic advantages, current research suggests that ginger may be a useful adjunct to cancer treatment management. This ancient root may prove to be a powerful tool in the fight against cancer as research progresses, offering hope for safer and more effective treatment options.

Advocate for natural therapy Babatunde Oluwafemi Adetuyi wrote from Lagos.