Black Ginger (K. parviflora)
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A human study: single oral intake of 50 mg K. parviflora extract increased whole-body oxygen consumption and decreased respiratory quotient (RQ) during moderate exercise.
ResearchGateA rodent study: feeding 1.0% KPE increased whole-body energy expenditure in mice fed a high fat diet.
PMCAMPK activation. Flavones such as 5,7-dimethoxyflavone (DMF) and 5,7,4′-trimethoxyflavone increase AMP/ATP ratio → activate AMPK → raise fatty-acid oxidation and mitochondrial biogenesis.
β-adrenergic signalling. Some studies show increased norepinephrine or cAMP levels in adipose tissue → induces UCP1 and UCP3 expression in brown and beige fat.
UCP1-mediated thermogenesis. Upregulation of uncoupling protein 1 allows controlled proton leak via physiological channels instead of chemical proton shuttling.
Endothelial NO and circulation effects. Black ginger improves nitric-oxide-dependent vasodilation, indirectly enhancing oxygen delivery and metabolic rate.
Possible mild direct mitochondrial modulation. Some flavones alter mitochondrial membrane potential in vitro, but magnitudes are small and reversible; they do not show classical protonophore activity like DNP.