Basic research on activating the intestinal immune function using ginger originated in Kochi

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K16279
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Eating habits
• Research Institution: Kochi University
• Principal Investigator: Iizuka Michiro 高知大学, 医学部附属病院, 薬剤師 (60711299)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: ショウガ / 腸管免疫 / パイエル板 / IgA / CD4/CD8

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Regarding activation of intestinal immune function by ginger, investigation using animals' intestinal tract was carried out. After oral administration of 1% ginger powder to BALB/c mice for 2 weeks, Peyer's patches were excised from the small intestine, cell suspensions were prepared, primary culture was performed, and the concentration of immunoglobulin A (IgA) in the culture supernatant was measured. In addition, quantitative analysis of the immunocompetent cells isolated from Peyer's patch was performed. As a result, the production and secretion of IgA in Peyer's patches was enhanced by ginger and the CD4/CD8 ratio was increased, suggesting that intestinal immune function is activated by ginger.

Free Research Field

臨床薬理学、食品機能学