6-gingerol Attenuates Inflammatory Response in Rats With Spinal Cord Injury by Reducing NLRP3-mediated Microglial...

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a severe neurological disorder with limited therapeutic options. 6-gingerol, a major bioactive component of ginger, possesses anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities; however, its role in SCI remains incompletely understood. This study investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of 6-gingerol in SCI-induced microglial pyroptosis. A rat SCI model was established and treated with 6-gingerol. Neurological function, histopathological changes, microglial activation, and pyroptosis were evaluated. An LPS/ATP-induced BV2 microglial pyroptosis model was used for in vitro mechanistic studies. Cell viability, LDH, pyroptosis-related proteins, and inflammatory cytokines were analyzed. The expression of EZH2, USP7, and FOXO3 was determined by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Chromatin immunoprecipitation was performed to evaluate EZH2 and H3K27me3 mediated regulation of the USP7 promoter, while co-immunoprecipitation and ubiquitination assays were used to examine the interaction between USP7 and FOXO3. 6-gingerol significantly improved locomotor recovery, attenuated spinal cord tissue damage, and reduced microglial pyroptosis and inflammatory response after SCI. Mechanistically, 6-gingerol suppressed EZH2 expression and reduced H3K27me3 enrichment at the USP7 promoter, thereby restoring USP7 expression. Increased USP7 enhanced FOXO3 deubiquitination and stabilization, leading to suppression of pyroptotic signaling. Furthermore, EZH2 overexpression, USP7 inhibition, or FOXO3 knockdown partially abolished the anti-pyroptotic effects of 6-gingerol in vitro, and EZH2 overexpression attenuated the neuroprotective effects of 6-gingerol in SCI rats. In conclusion, 6-gingerol treatment alleviates SCI-induced neuroinflammation and microglial pyroptosis through the EZH2/USP7/FOXO3 axis, highlighting a potential therapeutic strategy for SCI.