AIM: To examine the effects of phenolic compound-rich ginger extract on motor and cognitive functions as well as cytokine levels in the mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) model.

MATERIAL and METHODS: The mTBI model was modeled employing the Marmarou method. The Ginger group rats were i.p. administered 50 mg/kg of ginger extract. The Ginger+traumatic brain injury (TBI) group rats were i.p. administered 50 mg/kg of ginger extract two days before the TBI was induced. The control and TBI+Ginger group rats were provided ginger extract (50 mg/ kg i.p.) immediately after the TBI. Motor and cognitive behavioral experiments were performed. The cytokine levels were analyzed using the ELISA method.

RESULTS: While TBI caused a decline in motor and cognitive functions, significant enhancements of these functions were observed in the Ginger+TBI and TBI+Ginger groups because of the ginger treatment. While TBI induced an increased hippocampal cytokine level, significant decreases were detected in the Ginger+TBI and TBI+Ginger groups following ginger treatment.

CONCLUSION: The study findings revealed that phenolic compound-rich ginger extract may exert therapeutic effects on cytokine levels in the mTBI model.