Systemic administration of [6]-gingerol, a pungent constituent of ginger, induces hypothermia in rats via an inhibitory effect on metabolic rate.
We investigated the effects of systemic administrations of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Zingiberaceae) or its pungent constituent, [6]-gingerol, on resting body temperature in rats. Rats given ginger-containing rat chow for 5 days showed no changes in their day-night cycle of body temperature or physical activity. However, a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of [6]-gingerol (2.5 or 25 mg/kg) induced a rapid, marked drop in body temperature in a dose-related manner, with no change in physical activity. A significant decrease in metabolic rate was observed immediately after an i.p. injection of [6]-gingerol (25 mg/kg), although heat-loss responses underwent no alteration (versus vehicle). These results suggest that in rats: (a) a decrease in metabolic rate is responsible for the [6]-gingerol-induced hypothermia, and (b) [6]-gingerol modulates or interferes with the mechanisms underlying body temperature regulation, while other bioactive constituents of ginger may counteract the hypothermic effect of [6]-gingerol.
Ueki
Shiori
S
Department of Functional, Morphological and Regulatory Science, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Tottori 683, Japan.
Miyoshi
Michio
M
Shido
Osamu
O
Hasegawa
Junichi
J
Watanabe
Tatsuo
T
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001481:Basal Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects*; D001831:Body Temperature / Q000187:drug effects*; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002396:Catechols; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005233:Fatty Alcohols / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000633:toxicity; D020939:Zingiber officinale / Q000737:chemistry; D007035:Hypothermia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D022722:Thermogenesis / Q000187:drug effects
D002396:Catechols; D005233:Fatty Alcohols; C007845:gingerol