Neuroprotective effect of 6-paradol enriched ginger extract by fermentation using Schizosaccharomyces pombe

6-paradol is a non-pungent and biotransformed metabolite of 6-shogaol. It has recently been shown to exhibit a variety of biological activities including anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative activities. This study was designed to investigate biotransformation of 6-shogaol to 6-paradol from 6-shogaol-enriched ginger extracts (SGE) by Schizosaccharomyces pombe and evaluate the neuroprotective effect of fermented ginger extract (FGE). During fermentation of SGE by S. pombe, 6-gingerol content was maintained, whereas 6-shogaol was efficiently biotransformed to 6-paradol. FGE was evaluated for its neuroprotective effect against amyloid-beta (Aβ)-induced neurotoxicity in rat primary hippocampal cells. Cell viability was reduced to 68%, and to 65% when exposed to Aβ oligomer and Aβ plaque for 18 h, and 50 μg/mL of FGE increased cell viability (92% and 89.6%, respectively). These results indicate that fermentation of SGE can provide an efficient method of 6-pradol formation and that FGE has potential as a neuroprotective agent.