Modulation of macrophage functions by compounds isolated from Zingiber officinale.

Bioactivity-guided fractionation of Zingiber Officinale (zingiberaceae) led us to isolate 14 compounds, -gingerol ( 1), -gingerol ( 2), -gingerol ( 3), -gingerol ( 4), -paradol ( 5), -shogaol ( 6), -shogaol ( 7), 1-dehydro- -gingerdione ( 8), -gingerdione ( 9), hexahydrocurcumin ( 10), tetrahydrocurcumin ( 11), gingerenone A ( 12), 1,7-bis-(4' hydroxyl-3' methoxyphenyl)-5-methoxyhepthan-3-one ( 13), and methoxy- -gingerol ( 14). Using the RAW 264.7 cell line, the inhibitory effects on nitric oxide production induced by lipopolysaccharide and the stimulatory effects on phagocytosis of these compounds were evaluated. Compounds 7, 8, and 9 significantly decreased lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production, and compounds 7 and 8 significantly reduced inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. Among them, compound 8 also showed significant stimulatory effects on phagocytosis.