Effect of ginger extract on membrane potential changes and AKT activation on a peroxide-induced oxidative stress cell model

Zingiber officinale is a type of Ginger used for the treatment of reactive oxygen species (ROS) associated diseases. Reports describe its use in cellular models, such as pancreatic and intestinal cancer cell lines. However, the biochemical bases of antitumor, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities have not yet been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate in H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress the effect of ginger extract (GE) on HT1080 cell viability, ROS production, AKT activation, and mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). ROS production was measured by DHE probe. Results revealed a significant cell viability decrease with increasing GE concentrations. In addition, GE at 200 μg/ml and 400 μg/ml resulted in decreased ROS production compared with controls. Moreover, GE at 200 μg/ml concentration produced a significant increase in ΔΨm. In contrast, no difference in ΔΨm was observed compared to controls with GE at 400 μg/ml. In untreated HT1080 cells basal AKT activation was not observed. Conversely, treatment with 750 μM H₂O₂ led to Ser473 phosphorylation. Additionally, treatment with GE at 200 μg/ml decreased AKT activation. Reports in the literature describe GE biological activities; none the less, novel approaches to investigate intracellular changes resulting from GEs are described in this study. In conclusion, this study characterized GE induced intracellular changes, leading to changes in ΔΨm and signaling protein levels, such as AKT, and reduced cell viability.