Ginger Compounds Research Articles

Initiation of Red Ginger Callus (Zingiber officinale var. rubrum Rosc.) from Various Explants

The increasing demand for red ginger (Zingiber officinale Roxb. var. rubrum Rosc.) both at the domestic and international levels has led to the need for gingerol production, a main compound of red ginger, which has various pharmacological activities. The urgency of this research is related to gingerol produced in cultivated red ginger, which often shows variability in quantity due to genetic variation and differences in geographical and environmental conditions where it is grown, so it requires gingerol standardization efforts. Through tissue culture techniques, it is possible to propagate plants in a controlled environment, ensuring genetic uniformity and minimizing variations caused by genetic factors. Red ginger raw materials that can be produced consistently, quickly, and land-efficiently with high gingerol content and pesticide-free have become an essential economic necessity. In this joint study with PT. Bintang Toedjoe, researchers intend to utilize root culture bioprocessing technology to increase gingerol production from red ginger. Root cultures have stabile genetics and growth faster; thus, these techniques imply the formation of organs or structures conducive to enhanced gingerol production. Our research has revealed successful protocols for inducing and multiplying suitable callus for organogenesis. Through the application of hormones, the best callus induction is using a combination of 3 ppm 2,4-D and 0.2 ppm BA with a callus production percentage of 67%. On the other hand, a satisfactory callus multiplication rate was used using 1 ppm 2,4-D with the most significant increase in explant area (79 mm2) by ruler alignment. Meanwhile, the rooting response was prominent at 1 ppm 2,4-D + 3 ppm BA.

Immunomodulatory and Antiallergic Potentials of the Bioactive Compounds of Ginger

Immunomodulatory and Antiallergic Potentials of the Bioactive Compounds of Ginger

Optimization of the Extraction Process of Bioactive Compounds from Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Evaluation of Acetylcholinesterase Enzyme Inhibition and Cytotoxic Activity of the Free and Encapsulated Extract

The present study optimized the extraction process of bioactive compounds present in ginger (Zingiber officinale) dried at 80 °C, using ethanol:water 70:30 (v/v) as solvent. The extracts were evaluated for antioxidant activity by the 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical reduction methods and by the chelating activity of FeII ions. It was found that the extraction condition with a temperature of 60 °C and an extraction time of 12 h showed better responses to the tests. Then, the characterization of the compounds was carried out by mass spectrometry and thermal analysis (thermogravimetric (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)), identifying that the main compounds of ginger were gingerols and shogaols, being confirmed by the intensities and characteristics of the thermal graphs. The inhibition of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was evaluated using the Ellman test, which did not show an inhibitory action. Regarding cytotoxic activity, the free extract and encapsulated in liposomes were tested, showing antiproliferative effect at different concentrations for human kidney tumor cells (786-0), liver cells (HUH7.5), and Macaca mullata normal kidney cells (LLC-MK2). Given the results obtained, ginger presents itself as a renewable source of bioactive compounds and can be indicated for applications in the pharmaceutical industry

Comparative Study of Polyphenol Profile after Stimulated Post-intestinal Digestion of Raw and Dried Ginger Leaves

Abstract The present study aimed to determine bioaccessibility (BA) of polyphenols (PPs) and flavonoids (FLs) compounds of Ginger (Zingiber officinale) leaves extract after simulated gastrointestinal digestion (GID). One hundred grams of Z. officinale leaves (raw and dried) was extracted with 200 mL of distilled water. Determination of PPs and BA index were carried on the extract before digestion (BD) (undigested), post-intestinal digestion without enzymes (PI-DWOEs) and post-intestinal digestion with enzymes (PI-DWEs) using standard methods. The results showed significant decrease in proanthocyanidins (PCs) and anthocyanins (ACs) of dried and raw Z. officinale in PI-DWEs when compared to PCs and ACs level in BD. A total of nine major PPs compounds were detected in raw Z. officinale leaves in BD and PI-DWOEs, whereas eight PPs were detected in PI-DWEs. In PI-DWOEs, sinapinic acid (6.68 ng/mL) was the most prominent whereas p-coumaric (7.74 ng/mL) was the most protuberant in PI-DWEs. The concentration of total PPs were as follows; BD (41.39 ng/mL) > PI-DWEs (13.6 ng/mL) > PI-DWOEs (19.20 ng/mL). In conclusion, after the in vitro GID of the extract, a good BA index was observed, of which some PPs and FLs contents were near to 100%. However, the reason most PPs and FLs in the extract cannot be available or absorbed intact after digestion could be due to the fact that they undergo a series of reactions with intestinal enzymes. Additionally, not all polyphenols are absorbed equally well. Before it is feasible to predict how PPs will be assimilated by cells, they must first be bioaccessible.

Prophylactic and therapeutic effects of (6)-shogaol on alveolar bone loss in experimental periodontitis.

(6)-Shogaol is the most prevalent bioactive compound in ginger. The aim of this study was to examine both the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of (6)-shogaol in an experimental periodontitis model. Thirty-five male Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups. In the healthy group (n=5), no intervention was undertaken. In the periodontitis group (n=10), periodontitis was induced by ligature placement for 14 days. In the prophylaxis group (n=10), periodontitis was induced with ligature placement for 14 days, and during this time, 20 mg/kg/day of (6)-shogaol was administered via oral gavage. In the therapeutic group (n=10), periodontitis was induced with ligature placement for 14 days, and following the removal of the ligature, 20 mg/kg/day of (6)-shogaol was administered via oral gavage for 14 days. Alveolar bone loss was histometrically measured, and malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GP), nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL), and osteoprotegerin (OPG) were immunohistochemically analyzed. Alveolar bone loss was significantly lower in the healthy group than in the remaining groups, as well as in the therapeutic group than in the periodontitis group (p<0.001). RANKL/OPG was significantly higher in the periodontitis group compared to the remaining groups and in the prophylaxis group compared to the therapeutic group (p<0.001). MDA was significantly lower in the healthy group than in the remaining groups (p<0.001). SOD was significantly lower in the periodontitis group than in the prophylaxis and therapeutic groups (p=0.039 and p=0.042, respectively). GP was significantly lower in the healthy group than in the prophylaxis and therapeutic groups (p=0.031 and p=0.002, respectively). The administration of (6)-shogaol modulated the RANKL/OPG balance and antioxidant status in rats with ligature-induced periodontitis.

10‑Gingerol, a novel ginger compound, exhibits antiadipogenic effects without compromising cell viability in 3T3‑L1 cells.

Obesity is defined as excessive fat accumulation that can be detrimental to health and currently affects a large part of the global population. Obesity arises from excessive energy intake along with a sedentary lifestyle and leads to adipocytes with aggravated hypertrophy. Strategies have been designed to prevent and treat obesity. Nutrigenomics may serve a role in prevention of obesity using bioactive compounds present in certain foods with anti-obesogenic effects. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) contains gingerols, key bioactive compounds that inhibit hypertrophy and hyperplasia of adipocytes. The present study aimed to evaluate the antiadipogenic activity of 10-gingerol (10-G) in the 3T3-L1 cell line. Three study groups were formed: Negative (3T3-L1 preadipocytes) and positive control (mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes) and 10-G (3T3-L1 preadipocytes stimulated with 10-G during adipogenic differentiation). Cell viability and lipid content were evaluated by MTT assay and Oil Red O staining, respectively. mRNA expression of CCAAT enhancer-binding protein α (C/ebpα), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (Pparγ), mechanistic target of rapamycin complex (Mtor), sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1 (Srebf1), acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (Acaca), fatty acid binding protein 4 (Fabp4), and 18S rRNA (Rn18s), was quantified by quantitative PCR. The protein expression of C/EPBα was analyzed by western blot. In the 10-G group, lipid content was decreased by 28.83% (P<0.0001) compared with the positive control; notably, cell viability was not affected (P=0.336). The mRNA expression in the 10-G group was higher for C/ebpα (P<0.001) and lower for Acaca (P<0.001), Fabp4 (P<0.001), Mtor (P<0.0001) and Srebf1 (P<0.0001) compared with the positive control group, while gene expression of Pparγ did not present significant changes. The presence of 10-G notably decreased C/EBPα protein levels in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In summary, the antiadipogenic effect of 10-G during the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells into adipocytes may be explained by mRNA downregulation of adipogenic transcriptional factors and lipid metabolism-associated genes.

IN SILICO STUDY: SECONDARY METABOLITES FROM RED GINGER RHIZOME (Zingiber Officinale Var. Rubrum) AS POTENTIAL INHIBITORS OF3CLpro AND PLpro OF SARS-CoV-2

The COVID-19 outbreak prompted the development of novel drugs to treat the disease. Targeting of virus proteins has attracted great interest in the discovery of COVID-19 drugs. 3CLpro and PLpro are promising targets because of their important role in viral replication. Hence, various efforts have been made to find specific therapeutics for COVID-19, including those derived from plants as anti-Covid-19. Red ginger rhizome (Zingiber officinale var. rubrum) contains secondary metabolites that are known for their health benefits. This in silico study aimed to determine the potency of red ginger rhizome as PLpro and 3CLpro of SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor which may be applied to treat COVID-19. This research was conducted using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. The molecular docking simulation of red ginger compounds in complex with SARS-CoV-2 PLpro showed that 27 compounds have a binding free energy (?G) lower than that of the reference ligand. On the other hand, none of the complexes between red ginger compounds and 3CLpro had a lower binding free energy than the reference ligand. Visualization of interaction features at the PLpro of SARS-CoV-2’s active site shows that secondary metabolites dominantly interact with hydrogen bonds. The ar-curcumene and PLpro complex of SARS-CoV-2 appears very stable and has the lowest flexibility compared to HBA as a native ligand and molnupiravir as a reference ligand based on RMSD and RMSF plot analysis using molecular dynamic simulation...

Molecular docking analysis of ginger (Zingiber officinale) on dopamine compare to bupropion as smoking cessation

Tobacco use continues to be the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. Smoking is highly addictive because nicotine can stimulate nicotinic acetylcholinergic (nACh) receptors which release dopamine. Smoking cessation can be done with pharmacotherapy such as bupropion or varenicline, but it is associated with side effects. Herbal medicine is a possible easy option for smoking cessation treatment. This study uses ginger as a natural ingredient. Gingerol and shogaol were found to be the active compounds of ginger which are responsible for their pharmacological action and have been identified as TRPV1 agonists. The predictive binding of several forms of gingerol and shogaol to TRPV1 was analyzed using docking analysis in an in silico model. The method used is molecular docking with parameter observations and systematic literature review studies with dopamine as a comparator compound. The results of molecular docking of all herbal compound samples showed that no bioactive compounds had a lower binding energy value than the native ligands. However, all bioactive compounds from ginger show a binding energy value around -8,4 until -7.2 kkal/mol. Based on the molecular docking results, it can be concluded that the ginger herbal compounds have a better interaction potential than the control, although not as good as the native ligands. 12-Shogaol, 8-Shogaol, 12-Gingerol, 10-Shogaol, and 10-Gingerol are thought to target dopamine receptor proteins potentially.

New Approaches to Using Plant Flavor-Forming Enzymes

Background. Proteases, as well as enzyme complexes with various combinations of lipase, amylase, and cellulase, are used as flavor enzymes to impart aroma to processed raw materials. Plant-derived enzymes have significant potential for influencing aroma-forming reactions. Objective. The aim of this study is to investigate the intentional alteration of the aroma of onions, linden leaves, and cherry leaves by either activating (in the case of linden and cherry leaves) or inhibiting (in the case of onions) specific plant enzyme complexes. Methods. Linden and cherry leaves, as well as onion bulbs, were selected as the subjects that change their aroma by a complex of enzymes. To activate the enzymes present in the tree leaves, fermentation conditions similar to those used in tea leaf processing were applied. Mustard seeds and horseradish roots were employed as supplementary sources of enzymes. Ginger, extracts of bleck tea, grean tea, and oark bark were used to influence the reactions of onion aroma formation. Results. It was determined that flavor enzymes of tree leaves are active in different periods of leaf formation: enzyme complex in cherry leaves becomes active after flowering, while linden leaves exhibit enzymatic activity before flowering. Plant enzymes, such as mustard myrosinases and horseradish polyphenol oxidases, were found to be effective in modifying the onion's flavor. The substances contained in extracts of black tea, green tea, and ginger were observed to effectively inhibit the development of onion aroma. Conclusions. The compounds of ginger, black tea, and green tea extracts were found to slow down or inhibit the development of the onion aroma. The aroma of cherry and linden tree leaves undergoes transformation due to the natural leaf enzymes, resulting in aromas reminiscent of cherry berries and linden blossoms, respectively. Plant aroma-forming enzymes in linden leaves have a a more significant impact on the aroma before flowering, whereas aroma-forming enzymes in cherry leaves exert a stronger influence after fruiting.

Absorption and Metabolism of Ginger Compounds in Broiler Chicks.

Bioavailability is critical in ensuring bioefficacy of ginger compounds, which have not been studied in chicks. In this study, day-old chicks were treated with ginger root extract at 0.0, 0.4, 0.8, 1.5, and 3.0% for 42 days. The gingerols and shogaols in chick samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The primary phase-I metabolic pathway for gingerols and shogaols was the reduction of ketone groups into hydroxyl groups. Shogaols were also metabolized through thiol conjugation and hydrogenation of double-bond pathways. Within the bloodstream, gingerols and their metabolites predominantly existed as glucuronidate or sulfate conjugates. However, the levels of the free form and conjugates were comparable for shogaols. In breast meat, the quantities of both the free form and conjugates for all compounds were similar. In plasma, more than 50% of absorbed 6-gingerol (6G) and 90% of absorbed 6-shogaol underwent reduction to their respective metabolites. However, in breast meat, the percentage of reduction for absorbed 6G was less than 50%, and for absorbed 6-shogaol, it was less than 60%. Ginger compounds were absorbed into chick plasma ranging from 1.4 to 8.5 μg/mL and breast meat ranging from 7.1 to 114.6 μg/100 g across the 0.4-3.0% dose range in a dose-dependent manner.

Unraveling the Potential Anti-Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Mechanisms of Ginger by Computational Target Fishing.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is one of the most commonly consumed botanical foods. Owing to its anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties, ginger has been widely used as a homemade remedy during the corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; however, the mechanisms of its therapeutic activities against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) remain obscure. In this study, we used a drug-likeness approach to screen the active compounds of ginger. Next, we identified candidate targets of active compounds responsible for the anti-SARS-CoV-2 effects of ginger using chemical similarity searching and SARS-CoV-2-human protein-protein interaction (PPI) data. Finally, we analyzed PPIs, Gene Ontology enrichment, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment of the candidate proteins using different bioinformatics tools. A network comprising ginger compounds, human proteins, and SARS-CoV-2 proteins was built through Cytoscape 3.3. The results indicate that the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of ginger involves 20 active compounds, 18 potential human targets, and 12 SARS-CoV-2 proteins. These form a pharmacological network in which sigma nonopioid intracellular receptor 1 (SIGMAR1) and histone deacetylase 2 may be druggable hub proteins. In addition, molecular docking showed that 8-gingerdione and dihydrocapsaicin may preferentially interact with SIGMAR1, which was confirmed by further molecular dynamics simulation (150 ns) experiments. In conclusion, ginger targets multiple human proteins and affects multiple SARS-CoV-2 proteins to exert anti-COVID-19 effects. Although further experimental verification is needed, this study provides a quick visual overview of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 action of ginger.

Influence of peeling on volatile and non-volatile compounds responsible for aroma, sensory, and nutrition in ginger (Zingiber officinale).

Industrial use of ginger after peeling results in large amounts of agro-waste. To provide a basic reference for the sustainable processing of ginger products as a spice, we investigated the differences between unpeeled ginger, peeled ginger, and corresponding ginger peel, in terms of aroma, sensory profiles, and nutrition relevant physicochemical properties. The results showed that the total concentrations of identified odor-active compounds in unpeeled ginger, peeled ginger, and ginger peel were 876.56, 672.73, and 105.39mg/kg, respectively. Unpeeled ginger exhibited more intense citrus-like and fresh impressions compared to peeled ginger, revealed by descriptive sensory analyses. This is relevant to the high odor activity values of odorants such as β-myrcene (pungent, citrus-like), geranial (citrus-like), citronellal (citrus-like, sourish), and linalool (floral, fresh). In parallel, unpeeled ginger contained higher total polyphenol (84.49mg/100g) and total sugar content (33.4g/kg) in comparison with peeled ginger (76.53mg/100g and 28.6g/kg).

Comparison of Antioxidant and Functional Compounds in Korean Conventional and Chinese Seed Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) Following Steam Treatment

Comparison of Antioxidant and Functional Compounds in Korean Conventional and Chinese Seed Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) Following Steam Treatment

Medicinal Biospecificity of Ginger and Its Efficacious Bioactive Compounds in the Context of Its Biological Activities Against Predominant Health Issues: Current Study and New Avenues

There is a multitude of life-threatening and widespread health issues worldwide, regarding weak immunity, severe inflammation, viral infections, bacterial infections as well as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), high free radicals generation, and cancer. Ginger, a perennial plant of the Zingiberaceae family with several authentic nutritional and medicinal values used in many countries as traditional medicine. That is why, the study was designed to highlight recent studies about medicinally most efficacious bio-active compounds of ginger along their biological significance related to immuno-stimulatory, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, and anti-cancer effects. Our study also recognized future gaps in research. The study included professional research data under duration from 2001-2022 appearing in books and scholarly journals, collected from scientific database platforms via PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Springer Nature, Science Direct and Scopus. The present study includes the medicinal effects of almost 44 most influential ginger compounds like phenolics, terpenoids, flavonoids, and vinyllyl ketonic compounds etc. Our results revealed the strong alleviating effects of gingerols, shogaols, paradols, and polyphenols. Moreover, the ginger essential oil has proven to be very effective both for antiviral and antibacterial activity. However, no data is available in previous literature for components of ginger involved in immuno-stimulatory, effects. There is also a need to explore components for antibacterial activity. However, research has been conducted on ginger for only a few viruses despite its strong alleviating effects. Besides this, more study is needed to comprehend the comprehensive mechanism of action (especially at the molecular level) regarding the anti-bacterial and anti-viral activity of ginger and its constituents.

6-Shogaol, an Active Ingredient of Ginger, Improves Intestinal and Brain Abnormalities in Proteus Mirabilis-Induced Parkinson's Disease Mouse Model.

Parkinson's disease (PD) which has various pathological mechanisms, recently, it is attracting attention to the mechanism via microbiome-gut-brain axis. 6-Shogaol, a representative compound of ginger, have been known for improving PD phenotypes by reducing neuroinflammatory responses. In the present study, we investigated whether 6-shogaol and ginger attenuate degeneration induced by Proteus mirabilis (P. mirabilis) on the intestine and brain, simultaneously. C57BL/6J mice received P. mirabilis for 5 days. Ginger (300 mg/kg) and 6-shogaol (10 mg/kg) were treated by gavage feeding for 22 days including the period of P. mirabilis treatment. Results showed that 6-shogaol and ginger improved motor dysfunction and dopaminergic neuronal death induced by P. mirabilis treatment. In addition, they suppressed P. mirabilis-induced intestinal barrier disruption, pro-inflammatory signals such as toll-like receptor and TNF-α, and intestinal α-synuclein aggregation. Moreover, ginger and 6-shogaol significantly inhibited neuroinflammation and α-synuclein in the brain. Taken together, 6-shogaol and ginger have the potential to ameliorate PD-like motor behavior and degeneration of dopaminergic neurons induced by P. mirabilis in mice. Here, these findings are meaningful in that they provide the first experimental evidence that 6-shogaol might attenuate PD via regulating gut-brain axis.

Formulation And Effectiveness Test of Tansdermal Patch of Ethanol Extract of Ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc. Var Amarum) As Antiemetic

Shogaol and gingerol, compounds in ginger, can act as antiemetic. Ginger extract was formulatedby patch transdermal to increase the effectiveness of therapy and to minimize the side effects. Inthis study, maceration with ethanol 96% was used as extraction method and phytochemical screeningwas carried out to the extract to identfy the exctracted compounds. The formulation of transdermalpatch used matrix method with ginger extract concentrations of 0,5 gr (F1), 1 gr (F2), and 1,5 gr (F3).Evaluation of patch was carried out by organoleptic test, patch weight, thickness, tensile strength,elongation at break, modulus young, moisturizer test, and folding endurance. Effectiveness test usedwistar mice by observed the pica response and a decreasing in kaolin consumption. The yield of theextract obtained was 6,46% and it contained essential oils, flavonoids, steroids, and polyphenols. Thebest patch characteristics of the concentration was F3 with a patch weight of 0,39 gr, thickness 0,23mm, tensile strength 1,32 N/mm2, elongation at break 129,52%, young's modulus 0,96 mPa, humidity1,32%, and folding endurance &gt;200 times. F3 was also the most effective formulation with 6%response of pica and 93,11% of decreasing in kaolin consumption observed in day 9. In conclusion, F3can reduce nausea and vomiting.

A mix of ginger phenols exhibits anti‑adipogenic and lipolytic effects in mature adipocytes derived from 3T3‑L1 cells.

The prevalence of obesity has increased rapidly worldwide. Obesity is characterized by excessive adipose tissue in the body, which is related to hyperplasia and hypertrophy in adipocytes. Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is a medicinal plant that possesses an anti-obesogenic effect mostly attributed to gingerols, the most abundant bioactive compounds in ginger. The anti-adipogenic and lipolytic effects of these phenols have been shown when investigated individually. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the lipolytic and anti-adipogenic activity of a mix of the main ginger phenols 6-gingerol, 8-gingerol, 10-gingerol, 6-shogaol, 8-shogaol and 10-shogaol on the 3T3-L1 cell line. A total of four study groups were designed: Negative control (3T3-L1 preadipocytes); positive control (mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes); phenols-pre (3T3-L1 cells stimulated with the phenols mix during adipogenic differentiation); and phenols-post (mature 3T3-L1 adipocytes stimulated with the phenols mix). MTT viability cell assay and Oil Red O staining were performed. Glycerol concentration supernatants were determined using the VITROS 350 Chemistry System. Expression of mRNA was measured using qPCR. The treatment with a 2 µg/ml ginger phenol dose reduced the lipid content by 45.52±7.8 and 35.95±0.76% in the phenols-pre and -post group, respectively, compared with that in the positive control group. The phenols-post group presented a higher glycerol concentration in the supernatant compared with that in the positive control and the phenols-pre groups. The mRNA expression levels of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-γ, fatty acid-binding protein 4 and fatty acid synthase were higher in the phenols-pre and lower in the phenols-post groups, compared with those in the positive control group. To the best of our knowledge, the current study demonstrated for the first time the anti-adipogenic and lipolytic effects of a mix of the main bioactive compounds found in ginger, and it also established the basis to use this mix of phenols in in vivo studies and clinical trials.

6‐Gingerol induces browning of white adipose tissue to improve obesity through PI3K/AKT‐RPS6‐mediated thermogenesis pathway

AbstractThe browning of white fat has become a hot topic as it could help to lose weight and improve metabolic health. Therefore, this study aims to explore the in vivo browning or thermogenesis effect of 6‐gingerol (6G), a natural bioactive compound of ginger, and to clarify the underlying mechanism. The results showed that 6G limited weight gain, improved cold tolerance, and increased energy expenditure in high‐fat diet‐induced obese mice. Moreover, histological and immunohistochemical analysis revealed that 6G activated brown adipose tissue (BAT) and induced more beige cells in epididymal adipose tissue (eWAT). Meanwhile, eWAT browning was marked by appearance of multilocular lipid droplets, a higher level of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), and increased mitochondrial content. The potential molecular mechanism of eWAT browning was further investigated by RNA‐seq, qPCR, and western blot assays. Results indicated that 6G significantly induced the expression of beige and thermogenesis‐specific markers in eWAT and triggers thermogenesis mainly through a phosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) / protein kinase B (AKT)‐ribosomal protein S6 (RPS6) axis. Consistently, in vitro, data showed that pretreatment of primary white adipocytes with PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor significantly counteracted the 6G‐induced effects. This study reveals, for the first time, that 6G induces browning in adipose tissue by modulating the PI3K/AKT‐RPS6 and thermogenesis pathways, thereby alleviating obesity.

Could ginger extract be a therapeutic drug for migraine?

Migraine is a common neurological disorder that may be accompanied by vascular disturbances, Migraine is one of the most causes of disability worldwide. Zingiber officinale is a medicinal herb that has an analgesic effect on many disorders such as headaches, migraine, muscle tension, stomach spasm, and dysmenorrhea. Also, ginger has many pharmacological actions used to treat and prevent various common symptoms and diseases. This review aims to evaluate the potential of ginger to treat or prevent migraine episodes. Especially nowadays, Patients prefer herbal and complementary medicine to avoid the hard side effects of chemical drugs. The author searched several databases including PubMed, Science Direct, Wiley Online, and Scopus through February 2023 for recent articles with good quality evaluating the potential of ginger to treat migraine patients. The author made investigations and Interpretations depending on the results of the authors' experiments in previous articles included in my review. It is suggested that the bioactive compounds in ginger have the potential to treat and prevent acute migraine episodes effectively and safely. The author recommends encouraging the manufacturing of different pharmaceutical dosage forms of ginger extract to be used worldwide in a safe way and to render a higher absorption rate, and pharmacological response.

A bioelectrochemical approach based on a solid supported membrane to evaluate the effect of natural products on Ca2+-ATPase: The case of 6-gingerol

The sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase (SERCA) plays an essential role in maintaining the low cytosolic Ca2+ level that enables a variety of cellular processes. SERCA couples ATP hydrolysis to the transport of two Ca2+ ions against their electrochemical potential gradient from the cytoplasm into the lumen of the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum (SR/ER). Because of its central role in regulating cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration, SERCA dysfunction has been associated with several pathological conditions. Stimulation of SERCA activity may represent a potential therapeutic strategy in various disease states connected with dysfunctional SERCA. The natural phenolic compound 6-gingerol, the most abundant and the major biologically active compound of ginger, was reported to activate the SERCA enzyme. The present study aimed at investigating the effect of 6-gingerol on SERCA transport activity using a bioelectrochemical approach based on a solid supported membrane (SSM). We first performed a voltammetric characterization of 6-gingerol to better understand its electrochemical behavior. We then studied the interaction of 6-gingerol with SR vesicles containing SERCA adsorbed on the SSM electrode. The measured current signals indicated that ATP-dependent Ca2+ translocation by SERCA was remarkably increased in the presence of 6-gingerol at low micromolar concentration. We also found that 6-gingerol has a rather high affinity for SERCA (EC50 of 1.8 ± 0.3 µM), and SERCA activation by 6-gingerol is reversible. The observed stimulatory effect of 6-gingerol on SERCA Ca2+-translocating activity may be beneficial in the prevention and/or treatment of pathological conditions related to SERCA dysfunction.