title: Systemic administration of [6]-gingerol, a pungent constituent of ginger, induces hypothermia in rats via an inhibitory effect on metabolic rate.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Functional, Morphological and Regulatory Science, Tottori University Faculty of Medicine, Yonago, Tottori 683, Japan.
authors.forename: Shiori
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ueki
authors.forename: Michio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miyoshi
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Shido
authors.forename: Junichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hasegawa
authors.forename: Tatsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Watanabe
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D002396:Catechols; D005233:Fatty Alcohols; C007845:gingerol