[6]-gingerol induces electrogenic sodium absorption in the rat colon via the capsaicin receptor TRPV1.

[6]-Gingerol possesses a variety of beneficial pharmacological and therapeutic properties, including anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-emetic activities. Although [6]-gingerol is known to regulate the contraction of the intestine, its effect on intestinal ion transport is unclear. The aim of this study was to examine the role of [6]-gingerol in the regulation of electrogenic ion transport in the rat intestine by measuring the transmural potential difference (ΔPD). [6]-Gingerol induced significant positive ΔPD when administered to the serosal but not mucosal side of the colon, ileum, and jejunum; the highest effect was detected in the colon at a concentration of 10 μM. [6]-Gingerol-induced increase in ΔPD was suppressed by ouabain, an inhibitor of Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase, whereas no effect was observed in response to bumetanide, an inhibitor of the Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl(-) co-transporter. In addition, ΔPD induction by [6]-gingerol was greatly diminished by capsazepine, an inhibitor of the capsaicin receptor TRPV1. These results suggest that [6]-gingerol induced the electrogenic absorption of sodium in the rat colon via TRPV1.