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Updated: Feb 7, 2026
A Novel Human Epithelial Enteroid Model of Necrotizing Enterocolitis
Published on: April 10, 2019
Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) for the treatment and prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis
Ufuk Cakir1, Cuneyt Tayman2, Utku Serkant3
1Department of Neonatology, Health Sciences University, Zekai Tahir Burak Maternity Education and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Ginger supplementation significantly reduced intestinal damage in a rat model of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). This study suggests ginger may be a promising therapeutic option for NEC, a serious condition in preterm infants.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Neonatology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a critical gastrointestinal emergency in preterm infants, associated with high morbidity and mortality.
- Current treatments for NEC are limited, and its pathogenesis involves oxidant stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.
- Ginger possesses known anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cytoprotective properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic potential of ginger in mitigating intestinal damage.
- To evaluate the effects of ginger on NEC-induced injury in an experimental rat model.
Main Methods:
- Newborn Wistar rats were subjected to NEC induction using lipopolysaccharide, formula feeding, and environmental stressors.
- The ginger group received oral ginger (1000 mg/kg/day), while control and NEC groups did not.
- Histopathological, immunohistochemical (apoptosis markers), and biochemical analyses (oxidative stress, inflammation markers) were performed on ileum and colon tissues.
Main Results:
- Ginger treatment improved clinical scores and weight gain in NEC rats.
- Histopathology and apoptosis assessments showed significantly reduced intestinal damage in the ginger-treated group.
- Ginger administration decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6) and oxidative stress markers (XO, MDA, MPO), while preserving antioxidant enzymes (GSH-Px, SOD).
Conclusions:
- Ginger therapy effectively ameliorated NEC-induced intestinal damage in rats.
- Ginger demonstrates potential as a novel and promising treatment strategy for necrotizing enterocolitis.
Ethnopharmacological Relevance:
Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is the most important gastrointestinal emergency affecting especially preterm infants and causes severe morbidities and mortality. However, there is no cure. Oxidant stress, inflammation, apoptosis, as well as prematurity are believed to responsible in the pathogenesis of the disease. Ginger and its compounds have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-oxidant properties and immunomodulatory, cytoprotective/regenerative actions.
Aim Of The Study:
This study aimed to evaluate the beneficial effects of ginger on the intestinal damage in an experimental rat model of NEC.
Materials And Methods:
Thirty newborn Wistar rats were divided into three groups: NEC, NEC + ginger and control in this experimental study. NEC was induced by injection of intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide, feeding with enteral formula, hypoxia-hyperoxia and cold stress exposure. The pups in the NEC + ginger group were orally administered ginger at a dose of 1000 mg/kg/day. Proximal colon and ileum were excised. Histopathological, immunohistochemical (TUNEL for apoptosis, caspase 3 and 8) and biochemical assays including xanthine oxidase (XO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), malonaldehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin1β (IL-1β), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) activity were evaluated.
Results:
Compared with the NEC group, the rat pups in the NEC + ginger group had better clinical disease scores and weight gain (p < 0.05). Macroscopic evaluation, Histopathologic and apoptosis assessment (TUNEL, caspase 3 and 8) releaved that severity of intestinal damage were significantly lower in the NEC + ginger group (p < 0.05). The levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 in the ginger treated group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The GSH-Px and SOD levels of the ginger treated group were significantly preserved in the NEC + ginger group (p < 0.05). The tissue XO, MDA and MPO levels of the NEC + ginger group were significantly lower than those in the NEC group (P < 0.05).
Conclusion:
Ginger therapy efficiently ameliorated the severity of intestinal damage in NEC and may be a promising treatment option.
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