Gingerol

(S )-5- hydroxy-1- (4-hydroxy -3-methoxy -phenyl) - decane -3-one (IUPAC)

Yellowish, odorless liquid

Liquid

Risk

Template: Infobox chemical / molecular formula search available

Gingerol is an important flavoring component of ginger root (Zingiber officinale). Your writes are of particular importance for its sharpness.

Related substances

So far, six pungent compounds were identified in ginger. Other ingredients similar to the pungent principles structures are 6 -, 8 -, ,10- gingerol and 6 -, 8 -, ,10- shogaol. Shogaol is a degradation product of gingerol, which gingerol loses a hydroxyl group. Also included in the ginger and the taste important substances are zingiberene and zingiberol.

Effect

It is assumed, first, that gingerols, especially the shogaols, act on the vanilloid receptor and thus trigger an anti-inflammatory response. It could be shown that the pungent compounds ( gingerol, shogaol ) have a specific influence on the Interleukin-/Cytokinmuster. Based on the Interleukin-/Cytokinmusters can see different reactions to a disease.

Furthermore, 6 -gingerol inhibits the expression of cyclooxygenase -2 Enzymns which is responsible among other things for inflammation in arthritis and rheumatism. The gingerols inhibit the same enzyme cyclooxygenase in the body such as acetylsalicylic acid.

Interesting are gingerols and shogaols to perform specific immunosuppression. Nevertheless, it is still difficult to identify concrete mechanisms of action, as they have not only a place of action. Furthermore it could be shown that the pungent substances affect the iNOS ( inducable NO synthase ), which may have an impact on the smooth muscle and cause such a contraction or dilation of the vessels.