Zingiber officinale extract modulates γ-rays-induced immunosuppression in mice

Zingiber officinale extract (ZOE), has been demonstrated to ameliorate the symptoms of radiation sickness and mortality induced by the gamma-irradiation in mice. In this study, we further investigated the immune-modulator potential of ZOE against the immunosuppression. Compared to mice irradiated alone, ZOE treatment significantly increased the spleen relative weight of the mice. Moreover, ZOE treatment enhanced the cellular immune response characterized by higher macrophage, splenocyte survival, splenocyte proliferation and higher ratio of CD4(+) and CD8(+). In addition, ZOE improved the humoral response represented by the higher antibody titers of IgG, IgA and IgM and up-regulated the secretion of cytokines such as IL-1 beta and IL-3. Furthermore, ZOE treatment significantly reduced the numbers of micronuclei (MN) in bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs). Collectively, these finding indicated that ZOE has the regulatory effect against gamma-rays-induced immun-suppression by means of protecting DNA against the radiation.