A Review on Pharmacological Properties of Zingerone (4-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-butanone)

ScientificWorldJournal. 2015:2015:816364. doi: 10.1155/2015/816364. Epub 2015 May 27.

Abstract

Humans have been using natural products for medicinal use for ages. Natural products of therapeutic importance are compounds derived from plants, animals, or any microorganism. Ginger is also one of the most commonly used condiments and a natural drug in vogue. It is a traditional medicine, having some active ingredients used for the treatment of numerous diseases. During recent research on ginger, various ingredients like zingerone, shogaol, and paradol have been obtained from it. Zingerone (4-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-2-butanone) is a nontoxic and inexpensive compound with varied pharmacological activities. It is the least pungent component of Zingiber officinale. Zingerone is absent in fresh ginger but cooking or heating transforms gingerol to zingerone. Zingerone closely related to vanillin from vanilla and eugenol from clove. Zingerone has potent anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antilipolytic, antidiarrhoeic, antispasmodic, and so forth properties. Besides, it displays the property of enhancing growth and immune stimulation. It behaves as appetite stimulant, anxiolytic, antithrombotic, radiation protective, and antimicrobial. Also, it inhibits the reactive nitrogen species which are important in causing Alzheimer's disease and many other disorders. This review is written to shed light on the various pharmacological properties of zingerone and its role in alleviating numerous human and animal diseases.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / chemistry
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antidiarrheals / chemistry
  • Antidiarrheals / pharmacology
  • Antidiarrheals / therapeutic use
  • Antiemetics
  • Antineoplastic Agents / chemistry
  • Antineoplastic Agents / pharmacology
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antioxidants / chemistry
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology
  • Antioxidants / therapeutic use
  • Guaiacol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Guaiacol / chemistry
  • Guaiacol / pharmacology
  • Guaiacol / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Lipolysis / drug effects
  • Plant Extracts / chemistry
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*
  • Plant Extracts / therapeutic use
  • Radiation-Protective Agents / chemistry
  • Radiation-Protective Agents / pharmacology
  • Radiation-Protective Agents / therapeutic use
  • Zingiber officinale / chemistry

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Antidiarrheals
  • Antiemetics
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Plant Extracts
  • Radiation-Protective Agents
  • zingerone
  • Guaiacol