Multiple molecular targets in the liver, adipose tissue and skeletal muscle in ginger-elicited amelioration of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with a high population incidence has a multifactorial basis and is associated with dysfunction of multiple molecules in the liver, adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. To treat this complex disease, a balanced modulation of multiple targets can provide a profile with superior therapeutic benefits and less side effect, compared to a single selective ligand. Ginger is one of the most commonly used spices and functional foods around the world. An increasing body of evidence has demonstrated that ginger contains many active ingredients (such as gingerols and shoagals) and ameliorates NAFLD-associated disorders by acting on multiple genes/proteins responsible for lipid metabolism, insulin sensitivity and inflammatory responses in the liver, adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. More studies are needed to further investigate how ginger modulates the molecular targets. More importantly, clinical studies are warranted to assess its therapeutic benefits.