Cholesterol biosynthesis inhibitory component from Zingiber officinale Roscoe.

We previously reported on the isolation and identification of (E)-8 beta,17-epoxylabd-12-ene-15,16-dial (ZT) from ginger (rhizome of Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Zingiberaceae). In this paper, the pharmacological effects of ZT are reported. The experimental mouse hypercholesterolemia induced by Triton WR-1339 was treated after oral administration of ZT. In homogenated rat liver with ZT, cholesterol biosynthesis was decreased. In addition, the same activity was observed in the homogenated rat liver which was resected after the oral administration of ZT. According to the results of general pharmacological screening, no remarkable activity of ZT was observed except for an inhibitory effect on the cholesterol biosynthesis.