title: Ginger extract modulates the expression of IL-12 and TGF-β in the central nervous system and serum of mice with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main function of IL-12 is differentiation of naive T cells intoTh1 cells and TGF-β is a powerful immunoregulatory cytokine. The immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of ginger have also been reported in some studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of ginger extract on the expression of IL-12 and TGF-β in a model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).
  
  
  METHODS
  EAE was induced in C57BL/6 mice by immunization with myelin oligodendroglial glycoprotein emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant. The mice were administered intra-peritoneally with ginger extracts or PBS, from day +3 to +30. On day 31, mice were scarified and the expression of IL-12 and TGF-β mRNA in the spinal cord were determined by using real time-PCR. The serum levels of cytokines were measured by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In PBS-treated EAE mice, the expression of IL-12 P35 and IL-12 P40 mRNA in the CNS and the mean serum levels of IL-12 were significantly higher than those of healthy group (p<0.001). In ginger-treated EAE mice, the expression of IL-12 mRNA and its serum levels were significantly lower as compared to PBS-treated EAE mice. No significant difference was observed between PBS-treated EAE mice and healthy group regarding the expression of TGF-β mRNA. In ginger (300 mg/kg)-treated EAE group, the expression of TGF-β mRNA and its serum levels were significantly higher in comparison to PBS-treated EAE mice (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicated that ginger extract modulates the expression of IL-12 and TGF-β in CNS and serum of EAE mice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Medical School, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran; Department of Immunology, Medical School, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Abdollah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jafarzadeh
authors.affiliation: Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Reyhane
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ahangar-Parvin
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Medical School, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nemat
authors.affiliation: Department of Histology, Medical School, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Taghipour
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Medical School, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shamsizadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Medical School, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ayoobi
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Medical School, Tarbiat Moddares University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Zuhair Mohammad
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Hassan
keywords: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis; Ginger; IL-12; Serum; TGF-β