Abstract
Grains of paradise (GP) is a species of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae, extracts of which have a pungent, peppery taste due to an aromatic ketone, 6-paradol.
The aim of this study was to explore the thermogenic effects of GP extracts and of
6-paradol. Efferent discharges from sympathetic nerves entering the interscapular
brown adipose tissue were recorded. Intragastric injection of a GP extract or 6-paradol
enhanced the efferent discharges of the sympathetic nerves in a dose-dependent manner.
The enhanced nerve discharges were sustained for as long as 3 h. The rats did not become desensitized to the stimulatory effects these compounds
on sympathetic nerve activity. The tissue temperature of brown adipose tissue showed
significant increase in rats injected with 6-paradol. These results demonstrate that
GP extracts and 6-paradol activate thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue, and may
open up new avenues for the regulation of weight loss and weight maintenance.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: December 24, 2010
Accepted:
November 26,
2010
Received in revised form:
November 10,
2010
Received:
September 29,
2010
Identification
Copyright
© 2010 Elsevier B.V. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
