Sepsis is characterized by an initial net hyperinflammatory response, followed by a period of immunosuppression, termed immunoparalysis. During this immunosuppressive phase, patients may have difficulty eradicating invading pathogens and are susceptible to life-threatening secondary hospital-acquired
infections. Due to progress in antimicrobial treatment and supportive care, most patients survive early
sepsis. Mortality is more frequently attributed to subsequent secondary
nosocomial infections and multiorgan system failure.
6-Gingerol is the major pharmacologically active component of ginger. Although it is known to exhibit a variety of biological activities, including anti-
inflammation and antioxidation, the role of
6-gingerol in
sepsis-induced immune dysfunction remains elusive. Thus, we investigated whether
6-gingerol improves septic host response to
infections during
sepsis. 6-Gingerol-treated mice showed significantly lower mortality in polymicrobial
sepsis induced by cecal
ligation and
puncture LPS via enhanced bacterial clearance in the peritoneum, blood, and organs (liver, spleen, and kidney) and inhibited the production of TNF-α and
IL-6 in TLR2 and/or TLR4-stimulated macrophages. In addition, we demonstrated that survival improvement of
secondary infection following septic insult was associated with an initial response of enhanced neutrophil numbers and function at the
infection site, reduced apoptosis of immune cells, and a shift from a T helper cell type 2 (Th2) to a T helper cell type 1 (Th1)
cytokine balance in the hypoinflammation phase. Our overall findings suggest that
6-gingerol potentially restores
sepsis-induced immune dysfunction by shifting the balance of Th1/Th2 and by regulating apoptosis of immune cells.