Department of Basic Veterinary Science, Laboratory of Physiology, The United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.
Auton Neurosci. 2011 Apr 26;161(1-2):63-7. doi: 10.1016/j.autneu.2010.11.012. Epub 2010 Dec 23.
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 3h. 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.
天堂椒（GP）是姜科的一个物种，其提取物由于含有一种芳香酮，6-姜酚，因此具有辛辣、胡椒味。本研究旨在探讨 GP 提取物和 6-姜酚的产热作用。记录进入肩胛间棕色脂肪组织的交感神经传出放电。胃内注射 GP 提取物或 6-姜酚以剂量依赖性方式增强交感神经传出放电。增强的神经放电可持续长达 3 小时。这些化合物对交感神经活动的刺激作用，大鼠不会产生脱敏现象。注射 6-姜酚的大鼠的棕色脂肪组织的组织温度明显升高。这些结果表明，GP 提取物和 6-姜酚激活棕色脂肪组织的产热作用，为调节体重减轻和体重维持开辟了新途径。
