As part of a healthy and balanced diet, the active principles from plants attracting increasing interest to many costumers. In order to clarify the physiological relevance of these substances the bioavailability has to be determined taking the metabolism into account. Furthermore, the bioactivity of the compounds which are investigated needs to be determined. Finally, in order to reveal the mode of action, cellular target molecules have to be identified. In the present study this approach was applied to gingerols, main pungent components of ginger. Plasma concentrations of gingerols and gingerol glucuornides in humans have been determined after ginger tea intake using a new developed LC-MS/MS method on the basis of a stable isotope dilution assay. Applying these concentrations to activated T lymphocytes, gingerols and their metabolites were able to improve the adaptive immune response in humans by enhancing cytokine secretion, although these effects are mediated by different target molecules.

Influence of gingerols and their metabolites on the human immune system<br />

249th National Meeting (2015)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.