The Study
Inhibition of human neutrophil 5-lipoxygenase activity by gingerdione, shogaol, capsaicin and related pungent compounds.
This study tested if certain spicy chemicals can stop a specific enzyme in a test tube with human white blood cells. It tells us nothing about whether eating ginger or chili peppers actually helps people feel better or heal faster.
Analysis score
Maximum 44 for a cross-sectional study.
Where the score came from
Ginger and chili contain chemicals that block two important pain and swelling pathways in the body, similar to how some anti-inflammatory drugs work.
Where does this study sit?
Reviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert Opinion
Max 540 / 100
Quality score
Snapshots of a population at a single point in time, or descriptions of small groups. Can identify correlations and prevalence, but cannot determine cause and effect.
Key takeaways
Summary
Based on the study abstract and findings.
- 1These concentrations are strong enough to suggest real biological effects, but it's not clear if eating ginger or chili delivers enough to the body to work the same way.
- 2Gingerdione (from ginger) blocks swelling pathways at 15 μM; capsaicin (from chili) needs 100 μM to do the same; both also block another pathway at around 18 μM.
Score breakdown, methodology, conflicts of interest, evidence analysis & raw study data
Publication
Journal
Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and medicine
Year
1986
Authors
Daniel L. Flynn, Michael F. Rafferty, A. Boctor
Related Content
Claims (6)
Gingerdione blocks the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase more effectively than capsaicin in human neutrophils under laboratory conditions, as measured by a lower concentration needed to inhibit half the enzyme activity.
Ginger and chili compounds reduce inflammation in human neutrophils by blocking the activity of 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase enzymes, the same mechanism used by curcumin.
Gingerdione, shogaol, and capsaicin reduce the activity of the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase and lower the production of prostaglandin E2 in human neutrophils under laboratory conditions, indicating they block two related pathways in arachidonic acid metabolism.
Capsaicin and gingerdione block two key biochemical pathways involved in inflammation by preventing the breakdown of arachidonic acid in human neutrophils.
Compounds in ginger block two enzymes involved in inflammation, leading to lower levels of prostaglandins and leukotrienes.
Gingerdione, shogaol, and capsaicin reduce the production of 5-HETE, an inflammatory molecule, in human neutrophils at micromolar concentrations.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.