A bioactive compound of ginger may form a protective role against certain autoimmune diseases, say researchers, who suggest its supplementation may help those at high risk for disease development. The University of Michigan team identify 6-gingerol as the active ingredient in the ginger root that may be potent enough to counter the mechanism that determines the onset of conditions like lupus. Lupus attacks the body's own immune system and its associated with antiphospholipid syndrome, which causes blood clots. Over time, both conditions can cause widespread inflammation and organ damage. The study, which was carried out in mice with either antiphospholipid syndrome or lupus, found 6-gingerol prevented neutrophil extracellular trap release, which is triggered by the autoantibodies that these diseases produce.