Ginger (Zingiber officinale) and its Bioactive Components with Protective and Therapeutic Potential against Cancer

Abstract

Ginger can be an important complementary medicine for prevention and treatment of different types of cancers, owing to its natural origin, safety, and low cost relative to synthetic cancer drugs. Ginger contains volatile oils, anthocyanins, tannins, phenolic compounds and sesquiterpenes anticancer effects of ginger may arise from the ability to induce changes in a number of cellular processes, including cell division, apoptosis and differentiation. In this study, anticancer activity of ginger extract against various cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo were investigated. The evidence in this review suggests that ginger and its compounds in diet may lower cancer risk and affect tumor behavior.