Abstract
<jats:p>Zingiber officinale Roscoe (ginger), a rhizomatous member of the Zingiberaceae family, has been extensively employed in traditional medicine for the management of metabolic disorders, including diabetes mellitus. Over the past decade, advances in phytochemistry and experimental pharmacology have elucidated a spectrum of bioactive constituents—particularly gingerols, shogaols, paradols, zingerone, and volatile sesquiterpenes—that contribute to its multi-target antidiabetic activity. This review synthesizes up-to 2025 on the hypoglycemic, antioxidant, and hypolipidemic properties of Z. officinale, emphasizing data from alloxan- and streptozotocin-induced diabetic models. In diabetic animals, Z. officinale improves glycemic control through enhancement of pancreatic β-cell function and insulin secretion, activation of PI3K/Akt and AMPK signaling pathways, suppression of hepatic gluconeogenesis, and modulation of glucose transporters (GLUT2 and GLUT4). Concurrently, ginger attenuates oxidative stress by activating the Nrf2–HO-1 axis, restoring antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH-Px), and reducing lipid peroxidation. In diabetic animals, ginger supplementation consistently improves serum lipid profile (↓TG, ↓TC, ↓LDL-C, ↑HDL-C), decreases hepatic fat accumulation, and mitigates inflammatory responses via NF-κB inhibition. While preclinical findings strongly support these pleiotropic effects, clinical data remain variable due to differences in extract standardization, dose, and study duration. Standardized preparations rich in [6]-gingerol and [6]-shogaol show the most reproducible metabolic benefits. Collectively, Z. officinale represents a mechanistically rich nutraceutical candidate for metabolic support, warranting further well-controlled, standardized trials in diabetic and dyslipidemic populations.</jats:p>