MEDICINAL USES OF PHENYLALKANOLS AND DERIVATIVES

Abstract: A compound of formula (I), a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, wherein Ph is a phenyl radical R1 is H, OH, OC1-4alkyl, NO2; R2 is OH, OC1-4alkyl, OC=OC1-4alkyl or OC=OPh where the Ph can be optionally substituted by halogen, C1-3 alkyl or NO2; R1 and R2 along with the two carbon atoms of the phenyl ring to which they are attached can combine to form a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic ring comprising 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from O, S or N; R3 is an optionally substituted hydrocarbyl radical; R4 is H, CH3, OH or =O; when R4 is =O, then the carbon to which R4 is attached is not bonded to H; W is C(=O)-CH2, CH=CH-, CH2CO, CH(OH)-CH2, C(CH3)(OH)CH2, CH2CH(OH), CH2C(CH3)OH, CO, CHOH, C(CH3)(OH), CH2, CH2CH2; X is -CH-OH, C(CH3)OH, CH2, CH(CH3) or -C=O; Y is -CH-OH, C(CH3)OH, CH2, CH(CH3) or -C=O; provided that one of W, X or Y has an OH group.

Description: MEDICINAL USES OF PHENYLALKZUTOLS AND DERIVATIVES Technical Field The present invention relates to the use of phenylalkanols (gingerol analogues) in the treatment or prophylaxis of diseases by the inhibition of platelet aggregation. The present invention further relates to the use of phenylalkanols (gingerol analogues) in the treatment or prophylaxis of pain by action on sensory nerves and/or through anti-inflammatory action. Background Art Agents directly or indirectly controlling calcium are potentially useful for the treatment of congestive heart failure, hypertension, pain, diabetes and cancer (Vincenzi, 1981) or may have cardioprotective or neuroprotective properties . Other agents of interest are those known to affect calcium channel mediated Ca 2* uptake into cells, such as the therapeutic 1, 4-dihydropyridine drug nifedipine and verapamil (Triggle, 1984) . They are useful antianginal drugs as well as antihypertensives . Agents that have anti- inflammatory properties and antiplatelet properties are potentially useful for the treatment of inflammation, pain, stroke and ischaemic diseases . The gingerols are a series of natural homologues isolated from ginger, Zingiber officinale . Gingerols are classified according to their alkyl chain length eg. [6]- gingerol, [8]-gingerol (Deniff et al , 1981). A patent is published (Takeda et al , 1992) on the preparation of racemic gingerols (eg. [6] -gingerol) and their dehydrated derivatives (eg. [6]-shogaol) and their use as antipyretic and analgesic agents (no data) . Another patent is published (Tanaka et al , 1987) on a shogaol derivative where the carbonyl group of the side-chain is reduced to hydroxy group and its use in the treatment of thrombosis and pain. Agents that inhibit platelet aggregation may be used for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Platelets play an essential role in blood clotting at sites of wound injury, but unwanted activation of platelets in the circulation can give rise to thrombus formation, and is implicated in the onset of stroke, myocardial infarction, and other diseases . Therapeutic modalities aimed at secondary prevention of stroke and ischaemic diseases include vascular surgery, anticoagulant and platelet aggregation inhibition. Among these, the platelet aggregation inhibition appears to be the most promising because in fast-flowing vessels thrombi are composed mainly of platelets with little fibrin. Recent clinical trials have indicated that antiplatelet therapy protects a wide range of patients at high risk of occlusive vascular disease (Antiplatelet Trialists' Collaboration, 1994) . Medium dose aspirin is the most widely used antiplatelet regimen, and no other regimen appeared significantly more effective at preventing myocardial infarction and stroke. However, gastrointestinal tract upset, particularly peptic ulcer, is a common problem associated with the use of aspirin (Roderick, 1993). In addition, complications in some disease conditions such as diabetes and asthma are of major concern in the use of aspirin. A new safe antiplatelet therapy is therefore required. There is a need for safe and effective agents for the treatment of pain and inflammation, particularly arthritis. The use of analgesics such as non-steroidal anti- inflammatory agents (NSAIDS) , paracetamol and morphine still remain a primary therapy for such conditions. Each of these agents, however, has limitations. Aspirin and newer non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents can cause gastrointestinal discomfort and eventually the development of peptic ulcer. Paracetamol may produce liver and kidney toxicity with chronic use. Morphine, though effective, can be addictive and exhibit tolerance. Recently, a topical analgesic has been developed from capsaicin for control of pain (anti-nociception) . Capsaicin has also been used extensively for research in neurosciences, where it has benefit in the modulation of sensory nerve activity (nerves which transmit sensations of pain-causing stimuli from the periphery to the brain) . Capsaicin has also yielded important knowledge about pain pathways. However, capsaicin is an irritant and cannot be administered systemically because of its potential to cause neuro- inflamination. Its use as a topical agent is also limited for several reasons: it causes mild to moderate burning sensation, erythema and stinging after application; severe irritation to sensitive organs such as eyes; it cannot be used on broken or irritated skin; excessive inhalation of aerosolised dried cream may cause coughing, which is the most commonly reported systemic side-effect associated with the use of capsaicin preparations . Higher doses may produce neurotoxic effects through mechanisms not completely understood. Development of more effective anti-nociceptive agents is imperative. Stroke and ischaemic diseases that afflict millions of people world-wide, are among the most common maladies affecting people in industrialised countries. Current efforts directed at reducing the morbidity and mortality of these disease conditions are aimed at both relief and preventative therapies. The platelet aggregation inhibition appears to be the most promising modality aimed at prevention of stroke and ischaemic diseases because in fast-flowing vessels thrombi are composed mainly of platelets with little fibrin. There is great need to develop more effective drugs with novel action. Substances that are the subject of the present invention are typically substances that exert useful medicinal actions through mechanisms where calcium is either directly or indirectly involved. For example, hypertension including stroke are common disorders with extremely high mortality rate. Their incidence is steadily increasing despite a substantial haemostasis improvement by a number of therapeutic regiments (Salmo, 1995) . Disclosure of the Invention In one aspect, the present invention provides a compound of formula (I) , a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof : where R. is H , OH , OC^alkyl , NO. R 2 is OH, OC^alkyl, OC=OC 1.4 alkyl or OC=OPh where the Ph can be optionally substituted by halogen, C._ 3 alkyl or N0 2 ; R. and R 2 along with the two carbon atoms of the phenyl ring to which they are attached can combine to form a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic ring comprising 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from 0, S or N; R 3 is C 2.12 alkyl, C 2.12 alkenyl or C 2.12 alkynyl each optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from -OR, =0, nitro, halogen, -NRR' , -COOR or -CONRR' where R and R' are H or C^alkyl ; R 3 may be a linking group of a bis compound where R 3 is C 2.12 alkylene, C 2.12 alkenylene or C 2.12 alkynylene each optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from -OR, =0, nitro, halogen, -NRR' , -COOR or -CONRR' where R and R' are H or C^alkyl; R 4 is H, CH 3 , OH or =0; when R 4 is =0, then the carbon to which R 4 is attached is not bonded to H; W is C(=0)-CH 2 , CH=CH-, CH 2 C0, CH(0H)-CH 2 , C(CH 3 ) (OH)CH 2 , CH 2 CH(0H), CH 2 C(CH 3 )OH, CO, CHOH, C (CH 3 ) (OH) , CH 2 , CH 2 CH 2 ; X is -CH-OH, C(CH 3 )0H, CH 2 , CH(CH 3 ) or -C=0; Y is -CH-OH, C(CH 3 )0H, CH 2 , CH(CH 3 ) or -C=0; provided that one of w, X or Y has an OH group and provided that when (1) R x is OC^alkyl, R 2 is OH or OAcyl, W = CH 2 CH 2 and X = C=0, R 3 is C 2.12 alkyl, R 4 is H, then Y is not CHOH (gingerols) (Mustafa et al, 1993); (2) R 1 is 0CH 3 , R 2 is OH, W is CH 2 CH 2 , R 3 is C s or C 7 alkyl, R 4 is H and X = CHOH then Y is not CHOH (gingerdiol) (Mustafa et al, 1993); (3) R. is OCH 3 , R 2 is OH, W is CH=CH, R 3 is C 2.12 alkyl, R 4 is H and X is C=0, then Y is not CHOH (dehydrogingerols) ; (4) R. is OCH 3 , R 2 is OH, W = CH 2 CH 2 , X is CHOH, R 4 is H and R 3 is C 5 alkyl then Y is not CH 2 (reduced paradol) (Young-Joon et al , 1992); (5) R. is OCH 3 , R 2 is OH, W = CH 2 CH 2 , X is C=0, R 4 is H then Y is not C(OH)CH 3 (Sawamura et al) . In a second aspect, the present invention provides the use of a compound of formula (I) : where R. is H, OH, OC x _ 4 alkyl, N0 2 R 2 is OH, OC^alkyl, OC=OC 1 _ 4 alkyl or OC=OPh where the Ph can be optionally substituted by halogen, C^ alkyl or N0 2 ; R. and R 2 along with the two carbon atoms of the phenyl ring to which they are attached can combine to form a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic ring comprising 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from O, S or N; R 3 is C 2 _ 12 alkyl, C 2.12 alkenyl or C 2.12 alkynyl each optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from -OR, =0, nitro, halogen, -NRR', -COOR or -CONRR' where R and R' are H or C 1.4 alkyl; R 3 may be a linking group of a bis compound where R 3 is C 2 _ 12 alkylene, C 2.12 alkenylene or C 2 _ 12 alkynylene each optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from -OR, =0, nitro, halogen, -NRR', -COOR or -CONRR' where R and R' are H or C^alkyl; R 4 is H, CH 3 , OH or =0; when R 4 is =0, then the carbon to which R 4 is attached is not bonded to H; W is C(=0)-CH 2 , CH=CH-, CH 2 C0, CH(0H)-CH 2 , C(CH 3 ) (0H)CH 2 , CH 2 CH(OH), CH 2 C(CH 3 )OH, CO, CHOH, C(CH-) (OH) , CH 2 , CH 2 CH 2 ; X is -CH-OH, C(CH 3 )0H, CH 2 , CH(CH 3 ) or -C=0; Y is -CH-OH , C ( CH 3 ) 0H , CH 2 , CH (CH 3 ) or -C=0 ; provided that one of W, X or Y has an OH group a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof in the treatment or prophylaxis of diseases by the inhibition of platelet aggregation. In a third aspect, the present invention provides the use of a compound of formula (I) : where R, is H, OH, OC^alkyl, N0 2 R 2 is OH, OC^alkyl, OC=OC._ 4 alkyl or OC=OPh where the Ph can be optionally substituted by halogen, C 1-3 alkyl or N0 2 ; R. and R 2 along with the two carbon atoms of the phenyl ring to which they are attached can combine to form a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic ring comprising 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from 0, S or N; R 3 is C 2.12 alkyl, C 2.12 alkenyl or C 2 _ 12 alkynyl each optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from -OR, =0, nitro, halogen, -NRR', -COOR or -CONRR' where R and R' are H or C^alkyl; R 3 may be a linking group of a bis compound where R 3 is C 2.12 alkylene, C 2.12 alkenylene or C 2.12 alkynylene each optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from -OR, =0, nitro, halogen, -NRR' , -COOR or -CONRR' where R and R' are H or C^alkyl; - R 4 is H, CH 3 , OH or =0; when R 4 is =0, then the carbon to which R 4 is attached is not bonded to H; W is C(=0)-CH 2 , CH=CH-, CH 2 C0, CH(0H)-CH 2 , C(CH 3 ) (0H)CH 2 , CH 2 CH(0H), CH 2 C(CH 3 )OH, CO, CHOH, C (CH.) (OH) , CH 2 , CH 2 CH 2 ; X is -CH-OH, C(CH 3 )0H, CH 2 , CH(CH 3 ) or -C=0; Y is -CH-OH, C(CH 3 )0H, CH 2 , CH(CH 3 ) or -C=0; provided that one of W, X or Y has an OH group a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prophylaxis of diseases by the inhibition of platelet aggregation In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a pharmaceutical formulation comprising a compound of formula (I) : where R. is H, OH, OC^alkyl, N0 2 R 2 is OH, OC^alkyl, 0C=0C._ 4 alkyl or OC=OPh where the Ph can be optionally substituted by halogen, C._ 3 alkyl or N0 2 ; R. and R 2 along with the two carbon atoms of the phenyl ring to which they are attached can combine to form a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic ring comprising 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from 0, S or N; R 3 is C 2.12 alkyl, C 2 _ 12 alkenyl or C 2.12 alkynyl each optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from -OR, =0, nitro, halogen, -NRR', -COOR or -CONRR' where R and R' are H or C h alky1 ; R 3 may be a linking group of a bis compound where R 3 is C 2.12 alkylene, C 2.12 alkenylene or C 2.12 alkynylene each optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from -OR, =0, nitro, halogen, -NRR', -COOR or -CONRR' where R and R' are H or C^alkyl; R 4 is H, CH 3 , OH or =0; when R 4 is =0, then the carbon to which R 4 is attached is not bonded to H; W is C(=0)-CH 2 , CH=CH-, CH 2 C0, CH(0H)-CH 2 , C(CH 3 ) (0H)CH 2 , CH 2 CH(0H), CH 2 C(CH 3 )OH, CO, CHOH, C(CH 3 ) (OH) , CH 2 , CH 2 CH 2 ; X is -CH-OH, C(CH 3 )0H, CH 2 , CH(CH 3 ) or -C=0; Y is -CH-OH, C(CH 3 )0H, CH 2 , CH(CH 3 ) or -C=0; provided that one of W, X or Y has an OH group a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides novel compounds as follows 1- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-ol 1- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecan-5-ol 3 -methyl-1- ( 4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl ) undecan-3-ol 3-methyl-1- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) tridecan-3-ol 3 -hydroxy-1- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) dodecan-5-one 3-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl ) decan-1-one 3 -hydroxy-1- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) dodecan-1-one 1-hydroxy-1- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl ) undecan-2-one 2-hydroxy-1- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) undecan-1-one 5-hydroxy-1- (2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-one ( [8] -orthogingerol) 5-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxyphenyl) decan-3-one 5-hydroxy-1- (4-hydroxyphenyl) odecan-3 -one 5-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxyphenyl) dodecan-l-ene-3-one 5-hydroxy-l- (3 , 4-methylenedioxyphenyl) dodecan-3-one 5,12-dihydroxy-l, 16-bis (4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) hexadecane-3 , 14-dione (a bis compound) 1- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) dodecane-1 , 4-diene-3-one . 2-hydroxy-l- (3 , 4-dimethoxyphenyl) odecan-3-one 2 -hydroxy-1- (3 , 4-dimethoxyphenyl) undecan-4-one 1- (3 , 4-dimethoxyphenyl) dodecan-2-ol All alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkylene, alkenylene and alkynylene carbon chains can be straight or branched chain. Halogen includes bromo, chloro, fluoro or iodo. Pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives include acid addition salts. In a further aspect, the present invention provides the use of a compound of formula (I) according to the second aspect of the present invention in the treatment or prophylaxis of pain by action on sensory nerves and/or through anti-inflammatory action and/or through neurokinin inhibitory action. Preferably, the use of a compound of formula (I) in the treatment or prophylaxis of pain by action on sensory nerves is as an analgesic. In another aspect, the present invention provides the use of a compound of formula (I) according to the second aspect of the present invention in the treatment or prophylaxis of cardiovascular disease. In yet another aspect, the present invention provides a process for preparing the following compounds n=l -10 which comprises treating ginger extract with heat and/or acid and then followed by treatment with a microorganism or enzyme. Modes for carrying out the invention Starting materials for preparing compounds of formula (I) are commercially available or are prepared according to literature procedures . The following description provides methods of preparing compounds of formula (I) . (1) when W is -CH=CH-, X is C=0, Y is -CHOH- and R 3 is alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl (i) treating the appropriate benzaldehyde with acetone (ii)protecting any hydroxy groups (iii) treating the resulting compound with an appropriate aliphatic aldehyde in the presence of LDA as follows R3CHO and deprotecting as necessary; (2) when W is -CH 2 CH 2 - , X is C=0, Y is -CHOH- and R 3 is alkyl or where R 3 is a linking group of a bis compound and R 3 is alkylene reducing the product obtained in (1) above; or when R 3 is alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl or where R 3 is a linking group of a bis compound and R 3 is alkenylene or alkynylene reducing the intermediate ketone compound from (1) above before condensation with the appropriate aldehyde as follows : R^HO (3) when W is CH=CH, X is CHOH and Y is C=0 starting with the appropriate cinnamaldehyde and reacting to protect any hydroxy groups if necessary and then treating with appropriate ketone in LDA as follows and deprotecting as necessary; (4)when W is CH 2 CH 2 , X is CHOH, Y is C=0 and R 3 is alkyl reducing the product of (3) above; or when R 3 is alkyl, alkenyl or alkynyl starting with the appropriate cinnamaldehyde and reducing as for (2) above before condensation with the appropriate ketone or alternatively oxidising the appropriate alcohol followed by condensation with the appropriate ketone as follows reduce oxidation R 3 COCH 3 alternatively 5) when W is C(=0)-CH 2 , X is CHOH and Y is CH 2 starting with the appropriate acetophenone compound and protecting any hydroxy groups if necessary and treating with the appropriate aldehyde compound as follows and deprotecting as necessary (6) when W is CH 2 , X is CO and Y is CHOH (7) when is CHOHCH,, X is CO and Y is CH, (8) when W is CH,, X is CHOH and Y is CO (9) when W is CO and COCH,, X is CH, and Y is CHOH THPO(CH 2 )πMgBr H /H 2 0 R 3 CN THPO(CH 2 )nCOR 3 Br(CH 2 )nCOR 3 when n=2and3 PBr, reduction protect r(CH 2 )nCH(OTHP)R 3 -« Br(CH 2 )nCHOHR 3 deprotection (10) when W is CH 2 CO, X is CH 2 and Y is CHOH Grignard deprotection (11) when W is CHOH and CHOHCH 2 , X is CH 2 and Y is C=0 THP(CH 2 )nCOR 3 ^ HO(CH 2 )nC(OR) 2 R 3 PBr3 » Br(CH 2 )nC(OR) 2 R 3 Grignard + deprotection (12) when W is CH.CHOH, X is CH, and Y is CO w ere n= Substances with the α-hydroxyketone group may be prepared by the following general procedure (Organic Syntheses 3, 562) (CH 3 ) 2 NH R-CHO RCHO »► RCH(CN)N(CH 3 ) 2 ► R"CH(OH)COR NaCN (13) when W is CO, X is CHOH and Y=CH, (14) when W is CH,CO, X is CHOH and Y is CH, (15) when is CHOH, X is CO and Y is CH, (16) when W is CH 2 CHOH, X is CO and Y is CH 2 H 2 CHOHCOR 7 ) when is CH 2 , CH 2 CH2 or other having an OH group , Y is CHOH or CH2 and X is CH 2 or CHOH but one of , X or Y has an OH group -THP or alternatively when does not have an OH group and X is CHOH or CH, and Y is CHOH or CH, but one of X or Y is CHOH Where n = 0 - 4 R = alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl ; i8 ) when W is CHOH or CH,CHOH, X is CH, and Y is CH, (19) when W is CH 2 CH 2 , X is CHOH and Y is CH 2 , then in the formula in (18) n=2 ; (20) when W is CH 2 or CH 2 CH 2 , and X is CH 2 and Y is CHOH then in the formula in (18) n=3 or 4. For Grignard or similar condensation, the aldehyde can be replaced with the methyl ketone to give the methyl branched product . In the preparation of α-hydroxyketones the cyanohydrin may be prepared from a methylketone . Reduction steps are typically carried out with hydrogen using a suitable catalyst such as Pd/C or with NaBH 4 4 or NaCNBH.. Oxidation steps are typically carried out using pyridinium chlorochromate . Protecting groups are typically tetrahydropyran (THP) or acyls . Asymmetric synthesis of gingerol analogues Asymmetric synthesis of the gingerol and analogues can be achieved either by organic chemistry or enzyme-catalysed reaction. The most attractive features of using enzymes in asymmetric synthesis are that enzymes are inherently chiral and have ability to catalyse reactions with high selectivity leading to the synthesis of single stereoisomers. The asymmetric transformation of a prochiral ketone group (shown in reaction scheme below) into highly optical pure R- or S-isomer can be achieved either by organic synthesis or enzyme-catalysed reaction. In organic synthesis, R- or S-isomer can be exclusively formed by catalytic hydrogenation catalysed by an enantiomeric form of transition metal complexes. In the present invention ruthenium (R) - (+) -BINAP and ruthenium (S) - (-) -BINAP complexes will be employed as chiral catalysts (Noyori and Takaya, 1990) . Alternatively, R- and S-isomer of the gingerol analogues can be formed by enzyme-catalysed reduction. In this case a separate enzyme system can be employed to produce optically pure enantiomers . Two enzyme systems that can be used in this reaction are Aspergillus niger and Thermoanaerobium brockii alcohol dehydrogenase (Belan, et al , 1987), (Faber, 1995; Turner, 1996) as shown in the reaction scheme below. H2 / Ru-(R)-BINAP s Aspergillus niger Asymmetric synthesis of capsaicin-like analogues Asymmetric synthesis of capsaicin-like analogues can be achieved by the condensation of an aldehyde with an α- ketoacid. The reaction is known as acyloin condensation which is effectively catalysed by an enzymatic system, pyruvate decarboxylase (Crout, et al . 1991), (Faber, 1995; Turner, 1996) . The advantage of using this enzyme is a remarkable tolerance by the enzyme system with respect to a range of structures of the aldehyde. More significantly from a synthetic point of view, the α-hydroxyketone compounds can be converted chemically or enzymatically into the corresponding dione or chiral diol compounds . R can be: alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenylalkyl, phenylalkenyl , phenylalkynyl , etc . R may have methyl branches and/or substitutions. Tr-ansformation of ginger preparations, gingerols, gingerol analogues and related substances using enzymes or microorganisms to produce therapeutically useful products. Ginger extract contains numerous phenolic substances. Many of these substances are present as optically pure isomers, for example, [6]- and [8] -gingerols, the most abundant pungent components present in fresh ginger extract have been identified as the (-)- (S) -isomers . Gingerols possess a β-hydroxy keto functional group which makes them vulnerable to degradation by dehydration to form shogaols . This degradation perhaps is the major cause of loss in potential therapeutic effect of gingerols and the variations and changes in therapeutic effects of ginger preparations . The degradation of gingerol, however, results in the formation of the biologically active component, shogaol, which has different pharmacological activities to gingerol. This biologically active component may be enzymatically transformed into various components in ginger which are yet to be fully determined. The enzyme-catalysed conversion of [6] -shogaol in vi tro using a supernatant fraction isolated from rat liver is reported to result in the formation of [ 6 ] -parado1 , [ 6 ] -dehydro- and [ 6 ] -dihydroparadol . An homologue of [6] -dihydroparadol was chemically synthesised in our laboratory, namely, 1- (4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-ol [3.93] which was found to have a range of therapeutically useful biological activities . The ginger extract can be treated with yeast or isolated enzyme to form dihydroshogaol, dihydroparadol, and other reduced derivatives including 1- (4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-ol [3.93] . Compounds of formula (I) can also be prepared by treating the ginger extract with heat, acid, enzymes or micro-organisms, or combination or sequence thereof, to produce products that contain optimal amounts of dihydroshogaol, dihydroparadol (particularly 1- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3 -ol and homologues) or other substances with similar therapeutic actions. The optimally transformed ginger extract can be used to produce therapeutically useful herbal medicines and pharmaceutical agents . The process described above enables a more stable, potent and effective product to be derived from ginger preparations based on the therapeutically useful actions of gingerols and gingerol like substances falling within the scope of the general formula (I) . This process is particularly suited to the production of herbal products. Transformation of a ginger preparation using yeast Yeast is a convenient source of enzymes that has been extensively exploited in asymmetric synthesis. Its enzyme- catalysed reactions are regarded as natural processes and usually occur under mild conditions and with attendant selectivity, such as chemo-, regio- and stereoselectivity, leading to the formation of naturally occurring isomers. Apart from the naturally occurring substances such as gingerols, shogaols, gingerdiols, etc. the following compounds can be produced from the ginger extract in the presence of yeast: Ginger extract where n = 1-10 Note: Both the baker's yeast and isolated enzyme such as Thermoanaerobium brockii ADH will produce naturally occurring isomers, typically the (S) -isomers (Belan, et al , 1987) . Preferably the acid is a strong acid such as HCl, H 2 S0 H 3 P0 4 and the like. Synthetic gingerol analogues as antiplatelet agents Racemic gingerols and about 30 analogues have been prepared by synthesis and their biological activities, particularly on the cardiovascular system, have been investigated (Tran, 1997). The gingerol analogue, 3-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) dodecane [3.93], was tested on a pharmacological screen with arachidonic acid as substrate in rabbit platelet-rich plasma and found to have potent antiplatelet aggregation activity, being three times more potent than the indomethacin reference compound. However, the analogue had little or no effect on bleeding time in mice . Gingerols and synthetic analogues were tested on platelet rich plasma from human blood and found to inhibit platelet aggregation. Effects of gingerol analogues on sensory neurons The increase in intracellular calcium level is also known to be important for capsaicin-induced desensitisation in rat cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons (Cholewinski et al , 1993) and is believed, in vivo, to give rise to an analgesic effect. Capsaicin is known to excite a subset of sensory neurons by opening non-selective cation channels (Bevan and Szolcsanyi, 1990) which preferentially allows Ca 2* ion entry leading to pronounced desensitisation. A synthetic gingerol analogue was found to antagonise the effect of capsaicin, and vice versa, in rat mesenteric artery bed. It is proposed that gingerol and its analogues act on a so called "gingerol receptor" which previously was undefined, or on the capsaicin receptor or a subclass of capsaicin receptor. Pharmacological comparison has been made between capsaicin and [6] -shogaol, a dehydration product of [6]-gingerol (Suekawa et al, 1986). The neuropharmacological properties of gingerol and synthetic analogues may be investigated by specific measurement of Ca 2+ within the cytosol, nucleus and mitochondria or of Ca 2 " currents . Specific measurements of the action of gingerol and synthetic analogues in the sensory neurons have led to the discovery of new pharmacological agents with less pungent effect and little or no neuro-inflammatory effect compared with capsaicin which may be developed as a superior analgesic agent. These agents may be useful for the treatment of pain or conditions such as arthritis. Anti-inflammatory action of gingerol analogues Gingerol analogues exert anti-inflammatory action through inhibition of lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase enzymes and through their antioxidant properties (Musuda et al, 1995) . The gingerol analogues may be used to treat inflammatory conditions such as arthritis and may also be used to protect against stroke (Munsiff et al , 1992 ) . Neurokinin-1 receptor activity of gingerol analogue A gingerol analogue, 1- (4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-ol [3.93], exhibited relatively potent inhibition of neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1) mediated by substance P. Gingerol analogues may exert their antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities through this mechanism and, therefore, may be useful in the treatment of pain and inflammatory conditions such as migraine headache and internal pain. Known substances 5-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) decan-3-one ( [ 6 ] -gingerol ) 5-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-one ( [8] -gingerol) 5-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecan-1-ene- 3 -one ( [ 8 ] -dehydrogingerol ) 1- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) dodecan-4-ene-3-one ( [8] -shogaol) 1- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3 -one ( [8] -parado1) 1- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) dodecane-3 , 5-diol ( [8]-gingerdiol) 5-hydroxy-l- (3 -hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-one ( [8] -isogingerol) New chemical entities 1- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-ol 1- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecan-5-ol 3-methyl-1- ( 4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) undecan-3-ol 3-methyl-l- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) tridecan-3-ol 3-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) dodecan-5-one 3-hydroxy-1- ( 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) decan-1-one 3-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) dodecan-1-one 1-hydroxy-1- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)undecan-2-one 2-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) undecan-1-one 5-hydroxy-l- (2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl ) dodecan-3-one ( [8] -orthogingerol) 5-hydroxy-1- (4-hydroxypheny1) decan-3 -one 5-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxyphenyl) dodecan-3-one 5-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxyphenyl) dodecan-l-ene-3-one 5-hydroxy-l- (3 , 4-methylenedioxyphenyl) dodecan-3-one 5 , 12-dihydroxy-l , 16-bis (4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) hexadecane-3 , 14-dione 1- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecane-1, 4-diene-3-one 2-hydroxy-l- (3 , 4-dimethoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-one 2-hydroxy-l- (3 , 4-dimethoxyphenyl) ndecan-4-one 1- (3 , 4-dimethoxyphenyl) dodecan-2-ol A number of structural analogues of phenolic hydroxyketones called gingerols (listed above) were prepared by synthesis. 1- (4-Hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3 -ol [3.93] emerged as one of the most interesting substances. It was initially identified as the most potent inotropic agent in the guinea pig atrium and it was thought that its inotropic activity was a result of enhancing of SR Ca 2+ -ATPase since it exhibited relatively potent SR Ca 2* -ATPase activation. It was found however that the positive inotropic effect in the series could be dissociated from the enhancement of SR Ca + pump stimulation (Tran, 1997) . This is in contrast to the previous reports (Kobayashi et al , 1988) which had led to the conclusion that the positive inotropic (increased force of contraction) effect of [8] -gingerol on the guinea pig atrium was associated with the stimulation of Ca 2 " uptake into the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of cells via the SR Ca 2+ pump, thereby allowing greater Ca 2+ release (and hence force of contraction) on stimulation of the myocardium. Further work with 1- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3 -ol showed that the positive inotropic effect of the compound was produced through actions on sensory nerves innervating the release of neuropeptides and possibly histamine. Most importantly, the inotropic effect of the compound was blocked by pretreatment of the atrium with capsaicin, and pretreatment of the atrium with the compound caused a loss of capsaicin inotropic effect. A putative capsaicin receptor antagonist, capsazepine (10 μM) (Bevan et al , 1992) was found to block the inotropic response to l-(4- hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3 -ol completely. These results are consistent with a mechanism whereby both capsaicin and 1- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-ol [3.93] cause an increase in rate and force of guinea pig atria by releasing calcitonin gene related protein (cGRP) (and possibly other neuropeptides) from sensory nerves, which in turn acts directly on the atria and/or indirectly by the release of histamine (Imamura et al , 1996) . However, it is not clear whether capsaicin and the compound exert their effects via the same receptor, by different subsets of capsaicin receptors or by a different pathway yet to be described. A relationship between capsaicin and 1- (4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3 -ol is supported by a comparison of the structures of the two compounds, which are vanilloids showing significant similarities (but also differences) . The inotropic activity of 1- (4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-ol was shown to be enantiospecific as one enantiomer exhibited 100 fold more potent action than the other in increasing the force of contraction in guinea pig atria. The proposed mechanism of neuropeptide release by 1- ( 4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3 -ol, similar to that of capsaicin, was supported by studies in blood vessels. The compound was shown to be very potent in relaxing vasopressin-contracted rat mesenteric small arteries (200- 300 μm diameter) at 10 "8 to 10 "6 M. This effect was antagonised by capsaicin pretreatment (3 x 10 "7 M) . Interestingly, this effect on relaxation of mesenteric artery could not be explained by cGRP release, using a selective cGRP antagonist, even though cGRP is known to relax this arterial bed. The potency (EC 50 ) of the compound for relaxation of the mesenteric artery was 100-fold greater than for the inotropic effect in guinea pig atrium. This contrasts with capsaicin which has similar activity in Guinea pig atria (force and rate) and relaxing rat mesenteric artery. In contrast to inotropic activity of 1- (4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-ol which is enantiospecific, both enantiomers showed similar potency in relaxation of rat mesenteric vascular bed. Preliminary investigation on vasodilation property of other gingerol analogues such as 3-hydroxy-l- ( 4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) dodecan-5-one, 5- hydroxy-1- (3 , 4-methylenedioxyphenyl ) dodecan-3-one and [8] - paradol, all showed potency in relaxing rat mesenteric artery. In summary, these results suggest that 1- (4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-ol [3.93] acts like capsaicin to release one or more vasorelaxant substances from sensory nerves . The gingerol analogue, 3-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) dodecane [3.93], was tested on a pharmacological screen with arachidonic acid as substrate in rabbit platelet-rich plasma and found to have potent antiplatelet aggregation activity, three time more potent than the indomethacin reference compound. However, the analogue had little or no effect on bleeding time in mice. Antiplatelet activity of the compound was shown to be specific for arachidonic acid as the substance did not affect platelet function either via adenosine diphosphate or thromboxane A ; , mechanisms . It is therefore thought that the compound has interfered with arachidonic acid metabolism, probably by inhibiting cyclo-oxygenase enzyme. Gingerols and synthetic analogues were tested on platelet rich plasma from human blood and found to inhibit platelet aggregation initiated by arachlidonic acid. 3-hydroxy-1- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecane [3.93] also showed inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase from rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-1) with arachidonic acid as substrate. The gingerol analogue, 3-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3 - methoxyphenyl ) dodecane [3.93], was tested on guinea pig submaxillary membrane for neurokinin-1 (NK-1) antagonist activity with tritium labelled [ 3 H] Substance P and found to have relatively potent inhibition of the binding of Substance P to NK-1 receptor. Acute toxicity of the gingerol analogue, 3-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecane [3.93] was evaluated on mice for 3 days and found, for intraperitoneal administration, to cause a slight decrease in spontaneous activity, response to touch and limb tone in mice. However, no toxicity was shown towards mice for dose by the oral route. The compound showed low toxicity towards brine shrimp. Brine shrimp toxicity for gingerols and gingerol analogues tested ranged from low to moderate. Discussion of Results We have reviewed evidence and preliminary work showing that gingerols and capsaicin, which are members of the vanilloid chemical family, may act by similar mechanisms in producing positive inotropic effects on guinea pig heart and vasorelaxation in rat mesenteric artery. However, it is unknown whether they act on the same receptors, on related receptor subtypes or on different but linked receptors . There is considerable information on the nature of capsaicin receptors, but nothing is known about the site of action of gingerols. In both groups of compounds the 4- hydroxy-3-methoxy (vanilloid) substitution is essential for biological activity. We showed that the side chain could be modified by changing the relationship between the keto and hydroxy substituent. The vasorelaxant effect of gingerol analogue 3-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) dodecane [3.93] appears to be unrelated to release of cGRP, the major vasorelaxant peptide with other vasorelaxants studied. Operation of a novel vasorelaxant pathway is suggested by these results. The established action of capsaicin in anti- nociception, probably related to depletion of the neurotransmitter Substance P from sensory nerves, and hence tolerance of the relay of pain sensation via afferent nerve pathways to the central nervous system, indicates a role for capsaicin derivatives (including potentially 3-hydroxy- 1- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecane [3.93] and other derivatives) as candidate analgesic agents and for inhibition of neurogenic inflammation (Wrigglesworth et al , 1996) . In addition, the gingerol analogues, as shown by 3- hydroxy-1- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) dodecane [3.93 ] , may exert their antinociceptive activity by inhibition of Substance P from binding to NK-1 receptor. A number of novel substances (gingerol analogues) have been found that are much more chemically stable than the gingerols which are relatively unstable under both chemical (Mustafa et al . , 1993) and biological (Young-Joon, 1992, 1994) conditions, forming inactive substances. The β- hydroxycarbonyl function of the gingerols is vulnerable to oxidation or dehydration (Mustafa et al , 1993) to form inactive products . The gingerols are particularly prone to rapid dehydration under acidic conditions (Mustafa et al , 1993) such that even the pure substance is difficult to store for long periods. Simple oral dosing of the gingerols for medicinal action would not be possible due to the acidic environment of the stomach and upper intestinal tract. Chemical and biological instability is also likely to be a serious problem for intravenous doses . Other useful bioactivities and properties have been reported for gingerols and related substances, for example, antipyretic, antihepatotoxic (Hikino et al, 1985) and antischistosomal activities (Young-Joon, 1992, 1994; Suekawa et al , 1984), antiulcer (Yamahara et al , 1992; Yoshikawa et al , 1992) and antioxidant activities (Aeschbach et al , 1994) . The action of gingerols and chemically related substances in suppression of spontaneous calcium spikes and contraction in isolated portal veins of mice has also been reported (Ki ura et al , 1988) . In work carried out in our laboratories, guinea pig atria organ bath tests did not give the predicted results, suggesting that the proposed mode of action of this class of compounds (Kobayashi et al . , 1988) needs to be reinvestigated. A gingerol analogue 3-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy- 3-methoxyphenyl) decanone [3.92], an isomer of [6]- gingerol) , has potent stimulatory activity towards dog heart SR Ca 2* -ATPase (200% at 3 μM and 95% at 25 μM for the gingerol analogue [3.92]), whereas preliminary results from the guinea pig atria organ bath studies showed negative inotropic activity and negative chronotropic activity. In later studies positive inotropic activity was observed as a 50% increase on driven guinea pig left atria at 10 μM. Positive inotropic and chronotropic activity were observed for other gingerol analogues [see T.able 1] . 3- Hydroxy-1- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) decanone [3.92] showed 50% increase on guinea pig driven left atria at 10 μM and 3-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) dodecane [3.93] showed 50% increase at 1 μM followed by arrhythmia. Neither blocked ATP or α^receptors in vas deferens. No effect was observed on nerve stimulation in atria. 3-Hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) decanone [3.92] at up to 10 μM showed only a small effect on the rate of rise of Na * -dependent action potential, amplitude of action potential, and duration of action potential (at 50% or 90% recovery) . CARDIOTONIC SUBSTANCES OF INTEREST Of particular interest are gingerol analogues of novel structure showing cardiotonic activity (Table 1) i.e. 3-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecan-5-one ( [8] - inversegingerol) [3.90], 3-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl ) dodecanone [3.91] , 3-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) decanone [3.92] , 1- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3 -ol [3.93]. Of potential interest is 3-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3 - methoxyphenyl) dodecanone [3.91]. This substance is a homologue of the cardiotonic 3-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) decanone [3.92] . ATPase activities are a subject of this investigation. Filling of the SR stores by stimulation of SR Ca 2+ -ATPase may be of benefit in enhancing cardiac contractility whereas simultaneous stimulation of the PM Ca -ATPase may aid in relaxation during diastole. Compounds of this class may be of considerable interest. Our research includes mechanisms which directly control the level of intracellular calcium which is important for excitation-contraction coupling. There have been reports that [8] -gingerol, isolated from ginger, specifically activates sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca 2+ - ATPase at low concentrations but inhibits the enzyme at high concentrations (Kobiyashi et al, 1987). [8] -Gingerol was also found to exhibit relatively potent cardiotonicity towards guinea pig atria. This observation was confirmed by our laboratory for both [6]- and [8] -gingerol . Although the mechanism of the cardiotonic action has been reported to be the result of activation of SR Ca 2* -ATPase evidence for this is circumstantial or indirect, therefore the mechanism of action is uncertain. Evidence that the SR Ca 2"* -ATPase may not be directly involved in the cardiotonic action comes from the observation of a very rapid dose-dependent response 15-20 seconds after addition of the gingerol to the guinea pig atria organ bath. A very rapid onset of action is unlikely to be due to activation of SR Ca 2+ -ATPase which is located deep within the cell. Other evidence comes from studies of gingerol analogues where cardiotonic action does not correlate with activation of SR Ca 2+ -ATPase and in some cases cardiotonic gingerol analogues showed inhibitory activity towards SR Ca 2+ -ATPase . The gingerol analogues may be useful for the treatment of heart failure through increase in strength of contraction of the heart. Also of particular interest with regard to cardiotonic activity of the gingerol analogues (and the gingerols) is the increase in relaxation of the guinea pig atria observed in the diastolic phase (observed as a decrease in the baseline tension after addition of the compound in the assay) . This activity may be of use in the treatment of diastolic heart failure. EXPERIMENTAL I . Synthesis of gingerols .and their derivatives 1. Preparation of dehydrogingerone: To a solution of vanillin (5 g) in acetone (20 mL) was added 10% sodium hydroxide solution (20 mL) . The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 days (Normura, 1917) . After acidification the product was extracted with EtOAc twice and washed with water. Evaporation of solvent left a dark brown liquid which on crystallisation from EtOAc-petroleum afforded the title compound (85%) . 2. Preparation of dehydrogingerone-THP (2): A mixture of dehydrogingerone (5 g) and pyridinium p- toluene sulfonate (PPTS ) (0.1 g) in dichloromethane (20 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 24 hrs (Miyashita et al . , 1977). After removal of solvent, the crude product was subjected to gradient chromatography to give a colourless solid (92%) which was sufficiently pure for the next reaction. 3. Preparation of 5-hydroxy-l- ( -hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl)decεux-3-one ( [6] -gingerol) : To a stirred solution of LDA (0.15 moles, prepared by treating diisopropylamine with 2.5 M butyllithium in hexane) , under N 2 , in THF (4 mL) and HMPA (1 mL) at -78°C was added dropwise a solution of 2 (0.1 moles) in THF (2 mL) . After stirring for 20 mins, an appropriate aldehyde (0.12 moles) in THF (1 mL) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred at - 78°C for overnight, extracted with Et 2 0 twice, washed with diluted HCl, then with water. Evaporation of solvent left a yellowish liquid which was subjected to gradient chromatography to give the dehydrogingerol-THP. The product subsequently underwent hydrogenation at room conditions with hydrogen and Pd-C, and deprotection of the THP ether, using PPTS in ethanol, to afford a light yellow liquid which was purified by gradient chromatography to give a colourless liquid. Yield 60%. "H-NMR: δ 6.81 (1H, d, J= 8 Hz), 6.67 (2H, m) , 4.02 (1H, m) , 3.86 (3H, s, 0CH 3 ) , 2.77 (4H, m) , 2.52 (2H, m) , 1.28 (8H, m) , 0.88 (3H, t, b) . "C-NMR: δ 14.03, 22.59, 25.13, 29.27, 31.72, 36.41, 45.43, 49.34, 55.86, 67.66, 110.97, 114.38, 120.71, 132.62, 143.95, 146.43. CI-MS {M + I} * 295 (15), {M+l - H 2 0} + 277 (100), {C 10 H u O 3 } * 179 (30) , {C 8 H 9 0 2 r 137 (35) . A similar procedure was applied to the synthesis of other gingerol derivatives . 5-hydroxy-1- ( -hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)dodecan-l-ene-3-one ([8]-dehydrogingerol) : mp . 'H-NMR: δ 7.56 (1H, d, <J= 15 Hz), 7.11 (1H, dd, J= 8, 2 Hz), 7.06 (1H, d, J= 2 Hz), 6.94 (1H, d, J= 8 Hz), 6.58 (1H, d, J= 15 Hz), 4.02 (1H, m) , 3.87 (3H, s, OCH 3 ) , 2.78 (2H, m) , 1.51 (2H, m) , 1.29 (10H, m) , 0.89 (3H, t, b) . 5-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)dodecan-3-one ([8]- gingerol) : Liquid. X H- MR: δ 6.81 (1H, d, J= 8 Hz), 6.67 (2H, m) , 4.02 (1H, m) , 3.86 (3H, s, OCH 3 ) , 2.77 (4H, m) , 2.52 (2H, m) , 1.28 (12H, m) , 0.88 (3H, t, b) . l3 C-NMR: δ 14.03, 22.64, 25.45, 29.27, 29.24, 29.28, 29.49, 31.79, 36.45, 45.43, 49.34, 55.86, 67.66, 110.97, 114.38, 120.71, 132.62, 143.95, 146.43. CI-MS: {M+l} * 323 (15), {M+l - H 2 0} * 305 (100), {C 10 H u O 3 } + 179 (20) , {C 3 H 9 0 2 r 137 (20) . 5-hydroxy-l- (2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-one: ( [8]- o-gingerol prepared using σ-vanillin instead of vanillin as starting material) . Liquid. 'H- NMR: δ 6.75 (3H, m) , 4.02 (1H, m) , 3.86 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 2.77 (4H, m) , 2.52 (2H, m) , 1.28 (12H, m) , 0.88 (3H, t, b) . "C-NMR: δ 14.03, 22.70, 25.51, 29.29, 29.56, 31.85, 36.45, 43.41, 49.08, 49.99, 56.02, 67.66, 108.92, 119.55, 122.34, 126.57, 143.56, 146.54. CI-MS: {M+l - H 2 OT 305 (30) , {C 10 H 9 O 3 T 177 (100) . EI-MS: {M} 322 (5) , {M - H 2 0} 304 (20) , {C 12 H 13 0 3 } 205 (30) , {C 12 H 18 0 2 } 194 (20) , (C 10 H 10 O 3 } 178 (25) , {C 8 H 9 0 2 } 137 (60) , {C 5 H 5 0} 81 (25) , {C 5 H 9 } 69 (60) , {C 4 H 9 } 57 (40) , {C 3 H 5 } 41 (100) . HRMS: C 19 H 30 O 4 Calculated 322.214, Found 322.214 5-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)dodecan-3-one: ( [8] - isogingerol prepared using isovanillin instead of vanillin as starting material) . Liquid. 'H- NMR: δ 6.75 (2H, m) , 6.64 (1H, dd, J " = 8 , 2 Hz), 4.02 (1H, ) , 3.86 (3H, s, 0CH 3 ) , 2.77 (4H, m) , 2.52 (2H, m) , 1.26 (12H, m) , 0.88 (3H, t, b) . 13 C-NMR: δ 14.15, 22.70, 25.51, 28.99, 29.29, 29.55, 31.85, 36.48, 45.21, 49.31, 56.04, 67.68, 110.73, 114.44, 119.68, 134.01, 145.03, 145.61. CI-MS: {M+l} * 323 (10), {M+l - H 2 0} * 305 (100), {C 10 H O 3 } + 179 (40), {C 8 H 9 0 2 r 137 (18) . 5-hydroxy-1- (4-hydroxyphenyl) decan-3-one : ( [6] - demethoxygingerol prepared using 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde instead of vanillin as starting material) . mp 43-45 °C . 'H- NMR: δ 7.02 (2H, d, J= 8 Hz), 6.73 (2H, d, J= 8 Hz), 4.03 (1H, m) , 2.77 (4H, m) , 2.52 (2H, m) , 1.28 (8H, m) , 0.88 (3H, t, b) . 13 C-NMR: δ 14.07, 22.63, 25.13, 28.73, 31.72, 36.41, 45.37, 49.29, 67.81, 115.41, 129.42 (2C), 132.70 (2C), 154.11. CI-MS: {M+l - H 2 0} + 247 (30) , {C u H -3 0 2 } * 177 (100) . EI-MS: {M} 264 (10) , {M - H 2 0} 246 (20) , {C n H n 0 2 } 175 (80) , {C 8 H 8 0} 120 (40) , {C 7 H 7 0} 107 (100) , {C 4 H 7 } 55 (100) , {C 3 H 5 } 41 (55) . HRMS: C 16 H 24 0 3 Calculated 264.173, Found 264.172 5 -hydroxy- 1 - { 4 -hydroxyphenyl ) dodecan- 3 -one : ( [ 8 ] - demethoxygingerol, preparation similar to that of [6]- demethoxygingerol) . mp 81-82 °C. 'H- NMR: δ 6.81 (2H, d, J= 8 Hz) , 6.67 (2H, d, J= 8 Hz) , 4.02 (1H, m) , 3.86 (3H, s, OCH 3 ) , 2.77 (4H, m) , 2.52 (2H, m) , 1.28 (12H, m) , 0.88 (3H, t, b) . "c-NMR: δ 14.03, 22.64, 25.45, 29.27, 29.24, 29.28, 29.49, 31.79, 36.45, 45.43, 49.34, 55.86, 67.66, 110.97, 114.38, 120.71, 132.62, 143.95, 146.43. CI-MS: {M+l - H 2 OT 275 (60) , {C 9 H 9 0 2 T 149 (25) , {C-H-O} * 107 (100) . EI-MS: {M} 292 (18) , {M - H 2 0} 274 (18) , {C-^O 175 (65) , {C 9 H 9 0 2 } 149 (20) , {C 8 H 8 0} 120 (60) , {C 7 H 7 0} 107 (100) , {C 5 H 9 } 69 (30), {C 4 H 7 } 55 (60), {C 3 H 7 } 43 (90) . HRMS: C 18 H 28 0 3 Calculated 292.204, Found 292.205 5-hydroxy-l- ( 3 , 4 -methyl enedioxyphenyl ) dodecan-3-one : [prepared using piperonal instead of vanillin as starting material] mp 48-50 °C. 'H-NMR: δ 6.72 (1H, d, J= 8 Hz) , 6.66 (1H, d, J= 2 Hz) , 6.62 (1H, dd, J= 8, 2 Hz) , 5.92 (2H, s, OCH 2 0) , 4.03 (1H, m) , 2.75 (4H, m) , 2.53 (2H, ) , 1.27 (12H, m) , 0.88 (3H, t, b) . "C-NMR: δ 14.14, 22.69, 25.50, 29.28, 29.31, 29.54, 31.84, 36.51, 45.35, 49.36, 67.68, 100.89, 108.32, 108.80, 121.08, 134.55, 145.92, 147.70. CI-MS: {M+l - H 2 0} * 303 (50) , {C u H 13 0 3 } + 193 (25) , {C 8 H 7 0 2 } ÷ 135 (100) , {C s H 15 r 111 (50) . EI-MS: {M} 320 (40), {M - H 2 0} 302 (60) , {C 12 H u 0 3 } 203 (70) , {C 9 H 8 0 2 } 148 (40) , {C 8 H 7 0 2 } 135 (100) , {C 5 H 9 } 69 (30), {C 4 H 6 } 54 (50), {C 3 H 6 } 42 (45) . 5, 12-dihydroxy-l, 16-bis (4 -hydroxy- 3 -methoxyphenyl) -hexa- decane-3, 14-dione: [prepared using 1, 8-octandial instead of aliphatic aldehyde as starting material] mp 65-68 °C. 'H-NMR: (CD 3 C0CD 3 ) δ 6.82 (2H, d, J= 2 Hz), 6.71 (2H, d, J= 8 Hz), 6.65 (2H, dd, J= 8, 2 Hz), 4.01 (2H, m) , 3.81 (6H, s, OCH 3 ) , 2.77 (8H, ) , 2.52 (4H, m) , 1.30 (12H, m) . "C-NMR: (CD 3 COCD 3 ) δ 26.18 (2C) , 38.1 (2C) , 38.14 (2C) , 45.86 (2C) , 50.89 (2C) , 50.94 (2C) , 56.14 (2C) , 68.15 (IC) , 68.28 (IC) , 112.72 (2C) , 115.51 (2C) , 115.6 (2C) , 121.39 (2C) , 133.61 (2C) . CI-MS: {M+l} * 531 (100) , {M+l - H 2 0} + 513 (70) , {M+l - 2H 2 0r 495 (15) , {C 19 H 27 0 4 } + 319 (50) , {C^O,} * 179 (10) , EI-MS: {C 12 H 13 0 3 } 205 (10) , {C-^O,} 194 (15) , {C 9 H 10 O 2 } 150 (15) , {C 8 H 9 0 2 } 137 (100) , {C 4 H 7 } 55 (25) , {C 3 H 7 } 43 (80) . II. Synthesis of 3-hydroxy-l- (4 -hydroxy- 3- methoxyphenyl ) dodecan- 5 -one 1. Preparation of 4-benzyloxy-3-methoxycinnamaldehyde 4-Hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamaldehyde (0.6 g) was added to the mixture of benzyl chloride (1 mL) , K 2 C0 3 (1 g) , and Nal (1 g) in acetone (20 mL) . The resulting mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 hrs. The solid were removed by filtration and washed with acetone. After evaporation of solvent, the crude product was purified by gradient chromatography to give a yellowish solid. Yield 85%. 2. Preparation of 3-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl)dodecan-5-one To a stirred solution of LDA (0.15 moles, prepared by treating diisopropylamine with 2.5 M butyllithium in hexane) , under N 2 , in THF (4 mL) and HMPA (1 mL) at -78°C, was added dropwise a solution of 2-nonanone (0.1 moles) in THF (1 mL) . After stirring for 20 mins, 4-benzyloxy-3- methoxycinnamaldehyde (0.11 moles) in THF (2 mL) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred at - 78°C overnight, then quenched with dilute HCl, extracted with Et 2 0 twice. Evaporation of solvent left a yellowish liquid which was subjected to gradient chromatography to give a yellow solid. The product subsequently underwent hydrogenation at room temperature and atmospheric pressure with hydrogen and Pd-C for 2 hrs to afford the title compound which was then purified by gradient chromatography to give a colourless solid. Yield 60%. mp 42-43 °C . ^-NMR: δ 6.84 (1H, d, J= 8 Hz), 6.72 (1H, d, J= 2 Hz), 6.70 (1H, dd, J= 8, 2 Hz), 4.05 (1H, m) , 3.88 (3H, s, OCH 3 ) , 2.60 (4H, m) , 2.41 (2H, t, J= 6 Hz), 1.60 (4H, m) , 1.27 (8H, m) , 0.88 (3H, t, b) . "C-NMR: δ 14.11, 22.64, 23.67, 29.08, 29.16, 31.50, 31.69, 38.41, 43.72, 48.93, 55.92, 66.92, 111.10, 114.26, 120.95, 133.83, 143.73, 146.41. CI-MS: {M+l} * 323 (100) , {M+l - H 2 0} * 305 (60) , {C 10 H u 0 2 } * 163 (20) , {C 8 H 9 0 2 r 137 (40) , {C β H 15 0} + 127 (30) . EI-MS: {M} 322 (80) , {M - H 2 0} 304 (50) , {C X2 H 13 0 3 } 205 (10) , {C u H 13 0 2 } 177 (18) , {C 10 H u O 2 > 163 (25) , {C 9 H 10 O 2 } 150 (20) , {C 8 H 9 0 2 } 137 (100) , {C 8 H 15 0} 127 (25) . HRMS: C 19 H 30 O 4 Calculated 322.214, Found 322.215. III. Synthesis of 3-hydroxy-l- (4 -hydroxy- 3- methoxyphenyl ) decanone To a stirred solution of LDA (0.15 moles, prepared by treating diisopropylamine with 2.5 M butyllithium in hexane) , under N 2 , in THF at -78°C was added dropwise a solution of acetovanillone-THP (0.1 moles), which was prepared as described for dehydrogingerone-THP, in THF (4 mL) . After stirring for 20 mins, octanal (0.12 moles) in THF (2 mL) was added dropwise. The reaction mixture was stirred at - 78°C overnight, then quenched with dilute HCl and extracted with ether twice. Evaporation of solvent left a yellowish liquid which was subjected to gradient chromatography to give the product. This was subsequently deprotected using PPTS in ethanol, to afford a light yellow liquid which was again subjected to gradient chromatography to give the title compound as a colourless solid. Yield 70-80 %. mp 77-78 °C . 'H-NMR: δ 7.53 (2H, m) , 6.94 (1H, d, J= 8 Hz), 4.19 (1H, m) , 3.96 (3H, s, 0CH 3 ) , 3.10 (2H, m) , 1.30 (12H, m) , 0.88 (3H, t, b) . "C-NMR: δ 14.15, 22.71, 25.66, 29.33, 29.64, 31.88, 36.62, 44.41, 56.13, 68.07, 109.63, 113.94, 123.74, 129.84, 146.73, 150.83, 199.64. EI-MS : {M} 294 ( 10 ) , {M - H 2 0} 276 ( 10 ) , { C 10 H u O 4 } 195 ( 15 ) , {C 9 H 10 O 3 } 166 ( 40 ) , {C 8 H 7 0 3 } 151 ( 100 ) , {C 7 H 7 0 2 } 123 ( 10 ) . HRMS: C 17 H 26 0 4 Calculated 294.183, Found 294.185 A similar procedure to the above was applied to synthesise the following compound. 3-hydroxy-1- (4-hydroxy-1-methoxyphenyl)dodecanone: mp 74-76 C. H-NMR: 7.53 (2H, m) , 6.94 (1H, d, J= Hz), 4.19 (1H, m) , 3.96 (3H, s, OCH 3 3.10 (2H, m) , 1.30 (16H, m) , 0.88 (3H, t, b) . "C-NMR: δ 14.15, 22.71, 25.66, 29.33, 29.64, 29.67, 29.74, 31.85, 36.62, 44.41, 56.13, 68.07, 109.63, 113.94, 123.74, 129.84, 146.73, 150.84. CI-MS: {M+l} + 323 (100) , {M+l - H 2 0} * 305 (25) , {C 8 H 7 0 3 } * 151 (20) . MS-EI: {M} 322 (20), {M - H 2 0} 304 ( 15) , {M - 47} 279 (15) , {C 10 H u O 4 } 195 (25) , {C 9 H 10 O 3 } 166 (40) , {C 8 H 7 0 3 } 151 (100) , {C 7 H 7 0 2 } 123 (10) . HRMS: C 19 H 30 O 4 Calculated 322.214, Found 322.213. IV. Synthesis of 1- (4 -hydroxy- 3 -methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3 -ol To a solution of 8-dehydrogingerol (0.1 g) in dichloromethane (20 mL) was added anhydrous p- toluenesulfonic acid ( 0.05 g ) . The mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. Evaporation of solvent left a dark brown liquid which subsequently was hydrogenated with H 2 /Pd-C, then reduced with sodium borohydride in ethanol to produce the title compound in quantitative yield. mp 66-68 °C . "H-NMR: δ 6.84 (1H, d, J " = 8 Hz) , 6.72 (1H, d, J= 2 Hz), 6.69 (1H, dd, J= 8, 2 Hz), 3.89 (3H, s, 0CH 3 ) , 3.63 (1H, m) , 2.70 (2H, m) , 1.74 (2H, m) , 1.47 (2H, m) , 1.27 (14H, m) , 0.89 (3H, t, b) . "C-NMR: δ 14.17, 22.73, 25.68, 29.37, 29.61, 29.67, 29,74, 31.85, 31.94, 37.70, 39.43, 55.91, 71.49, 111.00, 114.26, 120.91, 134.17, 143.68, 146.41. CI-MS: {M+l} * 309 (10), {M+l - H 2 0} * 291 (100), {C 8 H 9 0 2 } * 137 (55) . EI-MS: {M} 308 (65), {M - H 2 0} 290 (25), {C 9 H 10 O 2 } 150 (25), {C 8 H 10 O 2 } 138 (100) , {C 7 H 8 0 2 } 124 (12) , {C 4 H 7 } 55 (20) , {C 3 H 7 } 43 (55) . HRMS: C 19 H 32 0 3 Calculated 308.235, Found 308.234. 1- ( 4 -hydroxy- 3 -methoxyphenyl) dodecane- 1, 4-diene-3-one: (isolated as an intermediate product) . Liquid. ^-NMR: δ 7.59 (1H, d, J= 15 Hz), 7.14 (1H, dd, J= 8, 2 Hz), 7.08 (1H, d, J = 2 Hz), 7.02 (1H, m) , 6.93 (1H, d, J = 8 Hz) , 6.82 (1H, d, J = 15 Hz), 6.45 (1H, m) , 3.94 (3H, s, OCH 3 ) , 2.29 (2H, m) , 1.51 (2H, m) , 1.31 (8H, m) , 0.88 (3H, t, b) . "C-NMR: δ 14.14, 22.69, 28.27, 29.14, 29.26, 31.8, 32.78, 56.01, 109.74, 114.88, 122.83, 123.34, 127.41, 129.08, 143.37, 146.88, 148.08, 148.21, 189.35. EI-MS: {M} 302 (100), {M - 17} 285 (15), {M - 31} 271 (10), {C 14 H 15 0 3 } 231 (10) , {C 13 H 13 0 3 } 217 (100) , {C 12 H 12 0 3 } 204 (30) , {C 12 H 9 0 2 } 185 (20) , {C l0 H 9 O 3 } 177 (40) , { 145 (30) , {C 8 H 9 0 2 } 137 (60) , { 117 (20) , 89 (20) , { 49 (15) , {C 4 H 7 } 55 (60) , {C 3 H 7 } 43 (90) . HRMS: C 19 H 26 0 3 Calculated 302.188, Found 302.189. A similar procedure to the above was applied to prepare its homologue . 1- ( 4 -hydroxy- 3 -methoxyphenyl) dodecane- 5 -ol: mp 54-55 °C . 1 H- NMR: δ 6.82 (1H, d, J= 8 Hz) , 6.67 (2H, m) , 3.88 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 3.60 (1H, ) , 2.56 (2H, t, J= 6 Hz), 1.65 (2H, m) , 1.35 (16H, m) , 0.88 (3H, t, b) . 13 C-NMR: δ 14.16, 22.72, 25.36, 25.71, 29.35, 29.72, 31.89, 31.91, 35.67, 37.35, 37.58, 55.90, 71.99, 111.01, 114.20, 120.91, 134.64, 143.59, 146.37. EI-MS: {M} 308 (100) , {M - H 2 0} 290 (50) , {C 8 H 9 0 2 } 137 (75) , {C 5 H 9 } 69 (10) , {C 4 H 7 } 55 (25) . HRMS: C 19 H 32 0 3 Calculated 308.235, Found 308.236. V. Synthesis of 1- (4 -hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) dodecane -3,5- diol ( [ 8 ] -gingerdiol ) To a solution of [8] -gingerol (0.1 g) in EtOH (15 mL) was added dropwise a solution of NaBH 4 (0.02g in 1 mL H 2 0) . The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 3 hrs . After acidification, EtOAc was added and organic layer was washed with water twice. Evaporation of solvent left a white solid which was purified by gradient chromatography to afford the title compound as a colourless liquid in quantitative yield. 'H-NMR: δ 6.82 (1H, d, J= 8 Hz), 6.71 (1H, d, J= 2 Hz), 6.67 (1H, dd, J= 8, 2 Hz), 3.97 (2H, m) , 3.86 (3H, s, OCH 3 ), 2.65 (2H, m) , 1.81 (2H, m) , 1.69 (14H, m) , 0.87 (3H, t, b) . "C-NMR: δ 14.13, 22.69, 24.99, 29.29, 29.34, 29.55, 30.90, 31.84, 37.22, 39.22, 55.91, 71.77, 72.74, 111.20, 114.34, 120.98, 133.73, 143.74, 146.47. CI-MS : {M+l } * 325 ( 25 ) , {M+l - H 2 0} * 307 ( 45 ) , {M+l - 2H 2 0} * 289 ( 100 ) , {C X0 H u O 2 } * 163 ( 20 ) , {C 8 H 9 0 2 } * 137 ( 50 ) . Preparation of 3-methyl-l- (4 -hydroxy- 3 -methoxyphenyl) - undecan-3-ol To a Grignard solution of octylmagnesiumbromide, prepared from Mg (0.05 g) and 1-bromooctane (0.36 g) , in THF (5 ml) under N 2 was added gingerone-THP (0.5 g) in THF (5 ml) which was prepared as described for dehydrogingerone-THP above. The mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The product was extracted with diethyl ether (50 ml) , washed with brine solution and purified by column chromatography to give a colourless liquid (yield 60%) . "H-NMR: δ 6.82 (1H, dd, J= 8, 2 Hz), 6.7 (2H, m) , 5.47 (1H, s) , 3.88 (3H, s), 2.6 (2H, m) , 1.73 (2H, m) , 1.5 (2H, m) , 1.2-13 (16H, m) , 0.88 (3H, t, b) . "C-NMR: δ 14.17, 22.73, 24.03, 26.93, 29.34, 29.66, 30.05, 30.28, 31.94, 42.13, 43.98, 55.91, 72.67, 110.93, 114.23, 120.81, 134.57, 143.55, 146.36. CI-MS: {M+l} * 291, {C 8 H 9 0 2 } * 137; EI-MS: {M} 290. Similar procedure was used to synthesise 3-methyl-l- (4- hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)tridecan-3-ol . 'H-NMR: δ 6.82 (1H, dd, J= 8, 2 Hz), 6.7(2H, m) , 5.49 (1H, s), 3.88 (3H, s), 2.6 (2H, m) , 1.73 (2H, m) , 1.5 (2H, m) , 1.2-13 (20H, m) , 0.88 (3H, t, b) . "C-NMR: δ 14.18, 22.74, 24.04, 26.99, 29.4, 29.68 (3C) , 30.06, 30.28, 31.96, 42.18, 44.02, 55.91, 72.8, 110.93, 114.3, 120.81, 134.59, 143.65, 146.43. CI-MS: {M+l} * 319, {C 8 H 9 0 2 } * 137; EI-MS: {M} 318. Preparation of 2-hydroxy-l- (4 -hydroxy- 3 -methoxyphenyl ) - undecan- 1-one 1. Preparation of 1- (N,N-dimethylamino) -1- (4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl ) acetonitrile The synthesis followed a published method (Hauser et al . , 1960). Briefly, to a stirred solution of NaHS0 3 (0.7 g) in water (4 ml) was added vanillin-THP (1.4 g) , prepared as described for dehydrogingerone-THP above, in MeOH (20 ml) , followed by the addition of anhydrous dimethylamine (0.5 g) in cold MeOH (30 ml) . The mixture was cooled prior to the addition of an aqueous solution of NaCN (0.5 g, 2 ml). After 24 hrs stirring at room temperature, the mixture was extracted with Et 2 0 (50 ml) , washed with water (2 x 20 ml) , and evaporated to give a colourless liquid (yield > 90%) which was sufficiently pure for the next reaction. 2. Preparation of 2-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3 - methoxyphenyl ) undecan-1-one . Under a N 2 atmosphere diisopropylamine (0.6 mL) dissolved in dry THF (10 mL) was treated with n-butyllithium (2.5 M, 2 L) and stirred for 30 min at -80 °C, followed by the addition of a solution of 1- (N,N-dimethylamino) -1- (4- hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) acetonitrile (0.8 g) , which was prepared as described above, in THF (2 ml) . The mixture was then stirred at -80 °C for 15 mins and at 0 °C for 2 hr. To this mixture was cooled to -80 °C and then a solution of decyl aldehyde (0.25 g) in THF (2 mL) was added dropwise. After 2 hrs stirring at -80 °C, the mixture was extracted with Et 2 0 (50 ml) , washed with brine solution (20 ml) and evaporated to give a liquid which was purified by column chromatography to afford a colourless liquid (yield 60%) . mp 78-80 °C ; 'H-NMR: δ 7.53 (1H, d, J= 2 Hz), 7.45 (1H, dd, J= 8, 2 Hz), 6.96 (1H, d, J= 8 Hz), 5.02 (1H, m) , 3.97 (3H, s), 3.7 (1H, m) , 1.84 (1H, m) , 1.5-1.6 (3H, m) , 1.23 (12H, m) , 0.86 (3H, t, b) . "C-NMR: δ 14.16, 22.71, 24.98, 29.33, 29.44, 29.51, 29.54, 31.91, 36.61, 56.18, 72.67, 110.36, 114.11, 123.88, 126.35, 146.91, 151.13. CI-MS: {M+l} * 309; EI-MS: {M} 308. Similar procedure was used to synthesise 1-hydroxy-1- (4- hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)undecan-2-one where 1-(N,N- dimethylamino) -1-decylcyanide was formed instead and reacted with vanillin-THP . mp 51-53 °C. "H-NMR: δ 6.91 (1H, d, J= 8 Hz), 6.85 (1H, dd, J= 8, 2 Hz), 6.72 (1H, d, J= 2 Hz), 5.7 (1H, s) , 5.0 (1H, d, J= 4 Hz), 4.32 (1H, d, J= 4 Hz), 3.87 (3H, s), 2.33 (2H, m) , 1.5 (2H, m) , 1.21 (12H, m) , 0.86 (3H, t, b) . "c- NMR: δ 14.14, 22.69, 23.78, 29.04, 29.25 (2C) , 29.39, 31.88, 37.78, 56, 79.44, 109.06, 114.64, 121.23, 130, 146.1, 147.07. CI-MS: {M+l} + 309; EI-MS: {M} 308. Separation of enantiomers of 1- (4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl)dodecan-3-ol. 1. Preparation of endo-(-)- and (+) -1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 7- hexachlorobicyclo [2.2. l]hept-5-ene-2-carboxylic acid (HCA) . The synthesis followed a published method (Duke and Wells, 1987) in which the diastereomeric esters of HCA were formed using 2 , 3-0-isopropylidene-D(+) -ribono-1, 4-lactone and subsequently separated by repeated fractional crystallisation from hexane/ethyl acetate to give colourless solids. The diastereomeric esters of HCA was hydrolysed to give endo- (-) - and (+)-HCA, respectively. 2. Preparation of diastereomeric esters of 1- (4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-ol . endo- (+) -HCA (0.34 g) was refluxed with SOCl 2 (10 ml) for 1.5 hrs and the excess reagent was removed under vacuum. To the residue in THF (5 ml) was added a solution of l-(4- hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3 -ol (0.1 g) in dry THF (5 ml) and then p-dimethylaminopyridine (0.16 g) in THF (5 ml) was added slowly to the solution. A colourless solid was formed and the mixture was left standing for 3 hrs, then filtered, washed with THF and evaporated to give a colourless liquid. Two diastereomeric esters were separated by column chromatography, then hydrolysed to give, respectively, the two enantiomers of 1- (4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3 -ol in quantitative yield. Diastereomer-1 of 1- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-ol "H-NMR: δ 6.95 (1H, d, J= 8 Hz), 6.78 (2H, m) , 4.97 (1H, m) , 3.94 (1H, ) , 3.8 (3H, s), 3.62 (1H, m) , 2.5-2.85 (6H, m) , 1.89 (2H, ) , 1.56 (2H, m) , 1.25 (14H, m) , 0.88 (3H, t, b) . Diastereomer-2 of 1- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-ol "H-NMR: δ 6.96 (1H, d, J= 8 Hz), 6.75 (2H, m) , 4.95 (1H, m) , 3.94 (1H, m) , 3.8 (3H, s) , 3.47 (1H, m) , 2.49-2.85 (6H, m) , 1.9 (2H, ) , 1.56 (2H, m) , 1.26 (14H, ) , 0.88 (3H, t, b) . The exact configuration of each enantiomer has not yet been determined. They are therefore named as enantiomer-1 (less polar) and 2 (more polar) according to the polarity of their diastereomeric esters on normal phase silica gel chromatography. enantiomer-1 of 1- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-ol : mp 53-56 C C. "H-NMR: δ 6.82 (1H, dd, J= 8,2 Hz), 6.70 (2H, m) , 3.87 (3H, s) , 3.62 (1H, ) , 2.5-2.8 (2H, m) , 1.74 (2H, m) , 1.46 (2H, m) , 1.26 (14H, m) , 0.87 (3H, t, b) . "C-NMR: δ 14.16, 22.72, 25.67, 29.36, 29.6, 29.66, 29.73, 31.83, 31.94, 37.68, 39.41, 55.91, 71.5, 111.02, 114.28, 120.92, 134.17, 143.7, 146.43. enantiomer-1 of 1- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-ol : mp 53-56 °C . "H-NMR: δ 6.82 (1H, dd, J= 8,2 Hz), 6.70 (2H, m) , 3.87 (3H, s) , 3.62 (1H, m) , 2.5-2.8 (2H, m) , 1.74 (2H, m) , 1.46 (2H, m) , 1.26 (14H, m) , 0.87 (3H, t, b) . "c-NMR: δ 14.16, 22.72, 25.67, 29.36, 29.6, 29.67, 29.73, 31.84, 31.94, 37.7, 39.43, 55.91, 71.5, 111, 114.26, 120.92, 134.18, 143.69, 146.42. Synthesis of 2-hydroxy-l- (3, 4-dimethoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-one Preparation of 2- (3 4-dimethoxyphenyl) ethanol To a solution of 3 , 4-dimethoxyphenylacetic acid (2 g) in anhydrous THF (40 ml) at 0 °C under N 2 was added dropwise borane-methyl sulfide complex (10 M, 1.5 ml). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for further 4 hrs. Cold water (5 ml) was added to destroy any excess of borane followed by the addition of H 2 S0 (1 M, 50 ml) . The mixture was extracted three time with ethyl acetate (50 ml) . The organic layer was separated and evaporated off to give a colourless liquid which was then purified by column chromatography to afford a colourless solid in quantitative yield. ^-NMR: δ 6.76 - 6.82 (3H, m) , 3.87 (8H, m) , 2.82 (2H, t, J= 6 Hz) . Preparation of 3,4-dimethoxyphenylacetal To a stirred suspension of pyridinium chlorochromate (2.5 g) in CH 2 C1 2 (40 ml) at room temperature was added a solution of 2- (3 , 4-dimethoxyphenyl) ethanol (2 g) in CH 2 C1 2 (10 ml) . The mixture was stirred at room temperature for further 30 min, then filtered through florisil. The solvent was evaporated off to give a liquid which was purified from column chromatography to afford a colourless liquid. Yield 40 %. ^-NMR: δ 9.73 (1H, t, J= 2 Hz), 6.86 (1H, d, J= 8 Hz), 6.77 (1H, dd, J= 8, 2 Hz), 6.71 (1H, d, = 2 Hz), 3.88 (6H, s), 3.63 (2H, d, J= 2 Hz). Preparation of 2-hydroxy-l- ( 3 4-dimethoxyphenyl ) dodecan-3 - one (CH 3 ) 2 NCHCN(CH 2 ) 8 CH 3 To a solution of diisopropylamine (0.4 mL) in anhydrous THF (10 mL) at -80 °C, under N 2 was added dropwise n-butyllithium (2.5 M, 1.5 mL) . The mixture was stirred on ice for 30 min, then cooled to -80 °C prior addition of the solution 1- (N,N-dimethylamino) -1-decylcyanide (0.36 g) , which was prepared as described in the synthesis of 2-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl ) undecan-1-one (page 39), in THF (5 ml). The reaction mixture was stirred at -80 °C for 15 mins and at 0 °C for further 3 hr. To this mixture cooled at -80 °C was added dropwise a solution of 3,4-dimethoxyphenylacetal (0.4 g) in THF (5 mL) . After 2 hrs stirring at -80 °C, the mixture was extracted twice with Et 2 0 (50 ml) , washed with 1 M HCl (50 ml) , then water (50 ml) . The organic layer was evaporated to give a liquid which was purified by column chromatography to afford a colourless liquid (yield 40%) . ^-NMR: δ 6.78 (3H, ) , 4.38 (1H, m) , 3.86 (3H, s) , 3.85 (3H, s), 3.06 (1H, m) , 2.83 (1H, m) , 2.48 (2H, ) , 1.58 (2H, m) , 1.26 (14H, m) , 0.88 (3H, t, b) . 13 C-NMR: δ 14.15, 22.7, 23.56, 29.27, 29.29, 29.4, 29.43, 31.89, 38.66, 39.8, 55.88, 55.91, 77.3, 111.22, 112.53, 121.26, 129.09, 148.03, 148.92. CI-MS: {M+l} + 337 (20), {M+1-H 2 0} + 319 (70), {C 9 H u 0 2 } + 151 (100); EI-MS: {M} 336 (100), {C 9 Hn0 2 } 151 (50) . Demethylation of 2-hydroxy-1- (3 , 4-dimethoxyphenyl ) dodecan- 3 -one can be carried out by using BBr 3 as a reagent to produce a final product as shown in reaction scheme below. The synthetic procedure will generally follow a published method by which 1 mole of BBr 3 may be used to demethylate approximate 3 moles of 2-hydroxy-l- (3 , 4- dimethoxyphenyl) dodecan-3 -one at room temperature (Bhatt and Kulkarni, 1983). This may result in three products as shown in the reaction scheme below. (CH 2 ) 8 CH 3 Preparation of l- ( 3 4-dimethoxyphenyl) dodecan-2-ol To a Grignard solution of decylmagnesiumbromide, prepared from Mg (0.05 g) and 1-bromodecane (0.36 g) , in THF (5 ml) under N 2 was added 3,4-dimethoxyphenylacetal (0.5 g) in THF (5 ml) . The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 5 hrs. Cold water (10 ml) was added following by the addition of H 2 S0 4 (1 M, 40 ml) . The mixture was extracted twice with diethylether (50 ml) , washed with brine solution and the solvent evaporated to give a liquid which was purified by column chromatography to afford a colourless solid (yield 60%) . ^-NMR: δ 6.74-6.82 (3H,m), 3.88 (3H, s) , 3.86 (3H, s) , 3.78 (1H, m) , 2.77 (1H, m) , 2.57 (1H, m) , 1.52 (2H, m) , 1.26 (16H, m) , 0.88 (3H, t, b) . 13 C-NMR: δ 14.17, 22.73, 25.84, 29.83, 29.67 (3C) , 29.74, 31.96, 36.88, 43.66, 55.88, 55.96, 72.75, 111.37, 112.58, 121.35, 131.15, 147.71, 148.99. CI-MS: {M+l} + 323 (25), {M+1-H 2 0} + 305 (100), {C 9 Hu0 2 } + 151 (15); EI-MS: {M} 322 (100), {C 9 H 12 0 2 } 152 (50) . Demethylation can be carried out as described above for 2-hydroxy-l- (3 , 4-dimethoxyphenyl) dodecan-3 -one. This may also result in three products . Preparation of 2-hydroxy-l- (3 4-dimethoxyphenyl)undecan-4- one CH 3 (CH 2 ) 6 C0CH 3 The title compound was prepared as described in the preparation of 3-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) dodecan-5-one (page 34). Hl-NMR: δ 6.74-6.82 (3H,m) , 4.26 (1H, m) , 3.87 (3H, s) , 3.86 (3H, s), 2.62-2.84 (2H, m) , 2.37-2.57 (4H, m) , 1.55 (2H, m) , 1.25 (8H, m) , 0.87 (3H, t, b) . 13 C-NMR: δ 14.1, 22.63, 23.59, 29.07, 29.14, 31.68, 42.51, 43.75, 48.14, 55.9, 55.94, 68.85, 111.29, 112.55, 121.37, 130.48, 147.78, 148.95. CI-MS: {M+l} + 323 (10), {M+1-H 2 0} + 305 (40), {CιoHι 3 0 3 } + 181 (80), {C 9 H i9 0} + 143 (85); EI-MS: {M} 322 (100), {M-H 2 0} 304 (90), {CuH 13 0 2 } 177 (60), {C 9 Hu0 2 } 151 (50) . Demethylation can be carried out as described above for 2- hydroxy-1- (3 , 4-dimethoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-one . This may also result in three products. A. Sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca 2* -ATPase assay SR membrane (75 μg/ml) : 24 μl Test substance: appropriate volumes to give a dose-effect concentration Incubation buffer: up to 240 μl A portion at each concentration (54 μl) was aliquoted into 4 designated wells of the microplate (two of four wells were controls) . Each well was mixed with ATP solution (20 mM, 6 μl) , except the controls, using an 8 channel pipette. The controls were assayed in the absence of ATP or calcium. The plate was incubated with the lid on, for 30 min at 37°C, colour reagent (160 μl) was then added and mixed with citrate solution (34%, 30 μl) . The plate was developed at room temperature for 30 min then absorbance at 655 nm was read from the microplate reader. The Ca 2* -ATPase activity was quantitated, from a P i standard curve, as concentration of liberated inorganic phosphate. Stock solutions (10 mM) of test substance were prepared in DMSO, then series dilutions were made either in DMSO or in IM HEPES to produce the dose-response concentrations. The maximum concentration of DMSO in the final assay solution was 2.5%. Each concentration of test substance was assayed in duplicate in the presence and absence of ATP or calcium. Phosphate standards are run on each plate as follows: B. Preparation of SR Ca 2* -ATPase incubation buffer Buffer concentration Stock cone. Volume taken 0.1 mM KC1 2 M 5 ml 4 mM MgCl 1 M 0.4 ml 0.1 M Sucrose 2 M 5 ml 5 mM NaN 3 1 M 0.5 ml 20 mM Imidazole 1 M 2 ml H 2 0 to 100 ml pH was adjusted to ~7 4 C. Preparation of SR ATP ! 3θlution (lOx) : Final cone. 10X cone. Stock Amount taken cone. 2 mM ATP 20 mM 0.126 g / 10 ml 66 μM CaCl 2 0.66 mM 0.1 M 66 μl 30 μM EGTA 0.3 mM 0.1 M 30 μl SR buffer to 10 ml pH was adjusted to -7.4 D. Preparation of AMT solution: 3 parts of malachite green (0.05%) 1 part ammonium molybdate solution The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 1 hour then Tween 20 (60 μl per 100 ml) was added and stirred for 1/2 hour at room temperature. 3.2.5 Organ bath assay: Male guinea pigs, 3-4 weeks old, were killed by rapid cervical dislocation without induced anaesthesia. Then, the guinea pigs were dissected to isolate the atria which were immediately mounted vertically in an organ bath containing Krebs-Henseleit solution oxygenated with carbogen. One gram tension was applied to the atria and the base line continuously adjusted until it was stable for 20 mins. The rate and force of contraction were recorded using Mac Lab equipment. Test substances in DMSO were assayed to a maximum concentration of 50 μM at a final concentration of 2.5 % of DMSO. Krebs-Henseleit solution 1 litre I. MgS0 4 .7H 2 0 0.29 g NaCl 6.92 g KC1 0.35 g KH 2 P0 4 0.165 g D-glucose 2.10 g II. NaHC0 3 2.10 g III. CaCl 2 .2H 2 0 (0.373 g/ml) 1 ml (I) was dissolved in an appropriate volume of phosphate free water, followed by the addition of (II) until all dissolved, then (III) . RESULTS SR Ca -ATPase Activity Concentration [6]- [8]- [8]- 1- (μM) gingerol gingerol dehydro (hydroxy -3-methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-ol 0 100 100 100 100 1 121 139 93 - 5 120 158 88 102 10 117 165 92 108 25 137 200 95 140 50 160 139 65 101 100 - - - 98 200 - _ — 16 Concentration l- (4- -hydroxy- 3 -hydroxy- 1 - 3 -hydroxy- 1 - (μM) 3- ( 4 -hydroxy- 3 - ( 4 -hydroxy- 3 - _ methoxyphenyl ) methoxyphenyl methoxyphenyl ) dodecan- 5 -one ; decan- 1-one dodecan- 1-one 0 100 100 100 1 - 104 122 5 113 152 111 10 136 174 133 25 158 195 147 50 126 180 158 100 87 222 149 200 18 _ _ Effect of gingerols and their derivatives on the Ca 2* -ATPase activity of dog cardiac SR. Results Table 1: SR Ca 2* -ATPase activity and inotropic activity of gingerols and gingerol analogues. IC 50 = cone, for 50% inhibition. t increase or stimulation -I decrease or inhibition Guinea pig atria testing on a range of phenolic substances revealed a number of interesting substances, including gingerols shown in table 1, that give rise to increased contractility of the atria. [8] -Gingerol appeared to be one of the most potent cardiotonic substances in the series . All the test substances increased the heart rate significantly. It was observed that all gingerol derivatives except [8] -dehydrogingerol developed maximum tension rapidly in a min or so after addition of a dose. In contrast, [8] -dehydrogingerol and digoxin took a few mins for tension to reach maximum. Digoxin was observed to cause arrhythmia a few mins after addition of a dose. DISCUSSION Substances of the gingerol series may exhibit similar mechanisms of action to those described for fatty acids but with selectivity towards SR Ca 2* -ATPase only. They produced in general a biphasic activity profile. They stimulate the ATPase at low concentration but weakly inhibit the enzyme at high concentration. SAR of gingerol revealed a unique aromatic feature which is essential for cardiotonic activity. [8] -Gingerol appeared the most potent cardiotonic substance in the series, however, it is readily chemically (Mustafa et al . , 1993) and biochemically (Young-Joon, 1994) degraded even in its pure state. Upon storage for a long time or exposure to an acidic environment, dehydration occurs rapidly particular at low pH to produce a shogaol which is devoid of cardiotonic activity. This could be a reason for the apparent short half life of [8] -gingerol when it was given to dogs (0.3 mg / kg, i.v.) resulting in increased cardiac contractility of about 30% for 10 min (Mitsubishi Co, 1982) . Some analogues such as 1- (4-hydroxy-3 - methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-ol, 3-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl)decan-l-one and 3-hydroxy-l- ( 4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) dodecan-1-one are probably chemically and biochemically much more stable than gingerols. Therefore, further investigation of the physicochemical properties as well as mechanism(s) of action of these substances, including gingerols, is required in relation to cardiotonicity. The mode of action of gingerols as cardiotonic agents has been thoroughly investigated and it was proposed that they act by direct stimulation of the cardiac SR Ca 2* -ATPase. This may load extra calcium into the intracellular stores in the sarcoplasmic reticulum allowing more calcium to be released on stimulation of the heart resulting in increased cardiac contractility. However, this study has indicated that the positive cardiotonicity of gingerols may not be simply related directly to its activation of SR Ca 2* -ATPase. It was found that [8] -dehydrogingerol, a SR Ca 2* -ATPase inhibitor, also produced a cardiotonic effect on guinea pig atria, however, the maximum effect was much delayed compared to [8]- gingerol which rapidly produced increased cardiac contractility 15 sec after addition of the drug. This indicated that [8] -gingerol may exert actions outside of the cell in addition to activation of SR Ca 2* -ATPase. The cardiotonic action of 1- (4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3 -ol [3.93] was confirmed from independent studies, carried out at our request as part of our agreement with Johnson & Johnson Research Ltd (J&J) , by Prof. James Angus from the University of Melbourne. Preliminary mechanistic studies, shown in the table below, of the substance revealed that the positive inotropic activity (lxlO *6 to 3xl0 "5 in concentrations) of the substance was not due to sympathetic nerve stimulation nor mediated by α- or β-adrenoceptors . It had neither an effect on the neuromuscular junction from phrenic nerve stimulation of rat diaphragm, nor an effect on sympathetic neuro-effector function in the rat vas deferens . A tachycardial effect of the substance on guinea pig atria was, however, observed at significant rate, 50-60% of isoprenaline E ^ and the response was not α- or β- adrenoceptor mediated. The mechanism of tachycardia and positive inotropic response of the substance was shown to be due to the release of neuropeptides and probably cGRP and indirectly a release of histamine since pretreatment of the guinea pig atria with capsaicin or capsazepine, a capsaicin antagonist, abolished inotropic effect of the test substance. Similarly capsaicin was observed to have tachycardial and inotropic effects on guinea pig atria and these effects were blocked in the presence of either l-(4- hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-ol or capsazepine. Cardiovascular and neuro-effector nc ion activities of l- ( 4- il0% 10 "5 M no tachycardi inotropic hydroxy-3- (vehicle?) enhancemen a 10 "6 - 3xl0 "5 methoxyphe t of vagal 10 "7 - 3xl0 "5 M -20% nyl ) dodeca slowing M to 60% isopren. n-3-ol 10 "7 - 10 "5 M of max. (not isopren. in rat) Emax (not blocked by praz . , prop . ) Cardiac electrophvsiologieal activities of gingerol and its analogue The basic cardiac electrophysiological properties were assessed using cardiac Purkinje fibres obtained from adult mongrel dogs . 3-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) decanone (n = 3) Concentrat Action Maximum Action Action ion Potential rate of Potential Potential ( μjv[) Amplitude depolarisa Duration Duration (mV) tion (V/s) 50% 90% repolarisa repolarisa tion (ms) tion (ms) 0 126±4 605±70 200+20 283±22 5 125+3 524±66 176+17 270±26 10 127+4 527±78 157±23 257+25 20 123±6 521+87 124±16 245±17 30 115±7 423±45 94±10 212+21 40 117±7 442±61 81+10 201±13 50 110±9 363±74 55±4 188±19 [8] -gingerol (n=9) Concentrat Action Maximum Action Action ion Potential rate of Potential Potential (μM) Amplitude Duration Duration (mV) tion (V/s) 50% 90% repolarisa repolarisa tion (ms) tion (ms) 0 123±2 576+71 278+18 385±24 5 124±2 532±42 242±20 363±27 10 120±4 483±41 207±20 339±26 20 119±2 499±41 142±20 285±26 30 114±3 443+45 107+17 248±25 40 116±4 516±67 88±15 229+22 50 109±8 471±73 76±12 221±19 Electrophysiology results Electrophysiology was carried out on dog heart purkinje fibre to test for potential arrhythmia. [8] -Gingerol and an analogue 3.92, up to 10 μM, caused insignificant effect on the rate of depolarization, amplitude of action potential and duration of action potential at 50% and 90% repolarization. At high concentration (50 μM ) , however, [8] -gingerol reduced approximate 80% and 50% of action potential duration at 50% and 90% repolarisations respectively. Whereas the analogue reduced 75% and 30% respectively. Vasodilation of gingerol analogues on rat mesenteric artery Small arteries (200-300 μ in diameter) isolated from rat mesentery were precontracted with endothelin prior to addition of the test substances and tested for relaxation. Results Compounds EC 50 Compounds EC 50 (μM) (μM) 1- (4-hydroxy-3- 5-hydroxy-1- (3 , 4- methoxyphenyl ) dodecan- 0.1 methylene0.69 3-ol dioxyphenyl ) dodecan-3• one enantiomer-1 0.5 [8] -parado1 0.05 enantiomer-2 0.32 3-hydroxy-l- (4- hydroxy-3- 0.04 methoxyphenyl) dodecan- 5-one At 10 " -10 "6 M, these substances gave complete relaxation of precontracted blood vessels and the relaxation was probably due to the release of neuropeptide from sensory nerves, however the identity of the peptides responsible for the relaxation is not certain, as yet. The relaxation was abolished by pretreatment with capsaicin and alternatively, pretreament of the gingerol analogues also abolished the vasodilation by capsaicin. Preliminary studies on cultured cells from rat dorsal root ganglion have shown that l-(4- hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl ) dodecan-3 -ol increased intracellular calcium, which is probably a mechanism of action of the gingerol analogues . The rise in intracellular calcium may result in release of neuropeptide (s) from sensory nerves that cause vasodilation of rat mesenteric artery. The exact receptor (s) where gingerol analogues exert their actions remains to be defined. Further investigation is in progress . Platelet aggregation activity of gingerol analogues Blood was collected from healthy volunteers who had taken no medication in the previous two weeks. The anticoagulant used was 3.8 % trisodium citrate. Platelet rich plasma was prepared and incubated with [ 3 H] -serotonin. This was followed by addition of gingerol analogues . Platelet activation was initiated using the EC 50 concentration for arachidonic acid. The percentage of [ 3 H] -serotonin release was measured using a liquid scintillation counter. Then, dose-response curves were established and IC 50 values were obtained. Results Neurokinin activity of gingerol analogues 3-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) dodecane [3.93], was tested on guinea pig submaxillary membrane for neurokinin-1 (NK-1) antagonist activity with tritium labelled [ 3 H] Substance P and found to have relatively potent inhibition of the binding of Substance P to NK-1 receptor. The substance exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of Substance P on NK-1 receptor. It gave approximately 80% inhibition at 30 μM. Ljpoxygenase activity of gingerol analogues 3-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecane [3.93] was tested at MDS PANLABS: Pharmacology Services (Taiwan) for 5-lipoxygenase activity from rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-1) with arachidonic acid as substrate. The inhibitory activity of the substance was quantitated, using radioimmunoassay, from the formation of 5-HETE. At 10 μM, the substance gave approximate 90% inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase activity. TOXICITY - BRINE SHRIMP ASSAY The brine shrimp assay procedure determines LC 50 values of active compounds . Activities of a broad range of known active compounds are manifested as toxicity to brine shrimp (Artemia salina Leach) . There are many applications of the assay including analysis of toxic substances, anaesthetics, morphine-like substances and cocarcinogenicity of phorbol esters. The assay shows good correlation with some cytotoxicities and its utility as a prescreen for some antitumour activities has been recently confirmed. DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) was the solvent of choice because of its good solubilising properties and also because the substances used in the ATPase inhibition assays were already prepared with DMSO. The method for testing solvent toxicity used was basically that reported by J L McLaughlin in Methods of Plant Biochemistry (1991), vol. 6 (K Hostettman, ed.), Academic Press, London, 1-32. DMSO solutions of the substances to be tested were added directly to the vials containing the brine shrimp. As the concentration of DMSO that we wished to use was higher than the recommended 1% v/v testing of the toxicity of the DMSO was therefore necessary. The concentrations of DMSO tested on the shrimp, along with the results from the assay which was done in duplicate are listed below. Concentrations of DMSO tested. Cone (% v/v) % Deaths Cone (% v/v) % Deaths 0 0 9 18 1 0 11 57 2 0 13 96 3 0 15 100 4 0 20 100 5 9 25 100 7 12 Bioassa' Y Brine shrimp toxicity was assayed, except for some minor modifications, according to the method of McLaughlin et al as reported in Brine Shrimp: A convenient bioassay for active plant constituents, B N Meyer, N R Ferrigni, J E Putnam, L B Jacobsen, D E Nichols and J L McLaughlin in Planta Medica (1982) , 45, 31-34 and Crown gall tumours on potato discs and brine shrimp lethality: Two simple bioassays for higher plant screening and fractionation. J L McLaughlin. Methods of Plant Biochemistry (1991) , vol. 6 (K Hostettman, ed. ) , Academic Press, London, 1-32. Ten shrimp were transferred to each of the vials and the volume adjusted to 4.9 mL. Each dose was performed in triplicate, including the control. In quick succession, the appropriate volume of additional DMSO for each dose, required to achieve a final concentration of 2%, was added before the appropriate volume of test solution. The vials were gently mixed and the time noted. After 24 hours, the number of survivors were counted and % mortality was determined. The test compounds were assayed at concentrations of 100 μM, 25 μM, 5 μM, 1 μM and 0.2 μM (and where appropriate concentrations of 0.04 μM and 0.008 μM) . The brine shrimp were able to survive without food in the vials over the 24 hour period and were therefore not fed. The dose-response curves were constructed using the Sigmaplot computer program and the LC 50 value was calculated from the intersection point of the curve and the 50 % mortality line. The LC 50 values were expressed in both μM and μg/mL. Table 2: LC 50 values of phenolic substances from brine shrimp bioassay. For substances with low toxicity, the greater sign " > " indicated the highest concentration at which the assay was carried out as precipitation of the substances occurred above that concentration. * LC 50 values determined by Meyer et al . (1982) DISCUSSION In this bioassay, the estimated LC 50 value of the test compound indicates its toxicity to brine shrimp. A more useful comparison of potencies can be obtained by looking at the μM instead of μg/mL concentrations in Table 2. Podophyllotoxin was tested in order to check whether the bioassay's results were comparable with those of Meyer et al . The LC 50 from this study was 3.8 μM and is reasonably close to the LC 50 value of 5.8 μM determined by Meyer et al . Effect of gingerol analogues towards rat dorsal root ganglia Capsaicin, the pungent component in peppers of the Capsicum genus, family Solanaceae, has the ability to excite a subset of sensory neurons, which include polymodal nociceptors and warm thermoceptors (Fitzgerald, 1983) by opening non-selective cation channels that are permeable to Na * , K * , and Ca 2* (Bevan and Szolcsanyi, 1990) . It has been shown that capsaicin evoked a concentration-dependent rise in [Ca 2* ] ι in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons. The duration of the elevation of [Ca 2* ] ι depended on the concentration of capsaicin (Choleswinski, et al . , 1993). In this investigation peak [Ca 2* ] x transient measurements are used as a model for testing gingerol analogues. EXPERIMENTAL DRG from neonatal (3-5 days old) rat or adult Sprague- Dawley rats were incubated in Hanks CMF saline with 0.05% collagenase and 0.25% trypsin for 25 min at 37° C. Individual cells were obtained by trituration with fire polished Pasteur pipettes of diminishing diameters . Neurones were isolated from the cell suspension in 30% Percoll and then plated on collagen coated coverslips or in 24-well plates, then cultured in neurobasal medium with B27 supplement, 50 ng/ml 2.5 S nerve growth factor, 2 mM 1-glutamine and 100 U/ml penicillin/streptomycin. Cultures were maintained at 37° C with 5% C0 2 . 30% Percoll increases the percentage of capsaicin-sensitive DRG neurones up to 70%. For peak [Ca 2+ ] x transients measurements, cells on coverslips were incubated with 5 μM Fura-2 AM for 30 min at 37° C. The coverslips were then mounted on a chamber attached to a fast sample application perfusion system which allows changing solutions in the second range. Recordings were made on the stage of a Nikon Diaphot inverted microscope fitted with a Nikon 40 x Fluo (NA 0.85) DL Ph3 or 40 x Fluo (NA 1.3) oil objective. [Ca + ]i was calculated from dual excitation wavelength (340/380 nm) fluorescence measurements following an intracellular calibration procedure by the Grynkiewicz equation, using MCID M2/M4 v.3.0 (Imaging Res. Inc.) software. Cells were continuously perfused with a solution consisting of 140 mM NaCl, 2 mM CaCl 2 , 5 mM KCl, 20 mM HEPES, 10 mM glucose, pH 7.4. To study KCl evoked depolarisation, 50 mM NaCl was replaced by equimolar KCl . Cytoplasmic localisation of Fura-2 was tested with the Mn 2+ quenching technique (Dedov and Roufogalis, 1998) . All experiments were performed at room temperature (20-23°C) . RESULTS Typical changes in [Ca 2+ ]i upon depolarisation were evoked by 50 mM KCl and by application of 1 μM capsaicin; both were applied for 30 sec. Capsaicin-evoked peak [Ca 2+ ]ι transients are characterised by a fast rise and long-steady state [Ca 2+ ] i clearance from the cytoplasm. In capsaicin- sensitive cells the half-time of cytoplasmic Ca 2+ clearance was proportional to the amplitudes of peak [Ca + ]ι transients . To examine the effect of gingerol derivatives, one or several compounds in succession at a concentration of 10 μM were applied for 1 min to the DRG neuronal cells followed by washing out for 4 min with physiological solution. To the capsaicin-sensitive cells, 10 μM capsaicin and 50 mM KCl were applied, respectively, to confirm the viability of the cells. In addition, morphological appearances of the cells were also examined at the end of experiment. All experiments were carried out in the presence of 2 mM Ca 2+ . Effect of the gingerol .analogues and capsaicin in evoking [Ca 2+ ]ι transients in DRG neuronal cells in culture. All gingerol derivatives at 10 μM, except the last three compounds, evoked [Ca 2+ ]ι transients in capsaicin-sensitive cells. No capsaicin-insensitive DRG neuronal cells responded to the gingerol derivatives . There are some preliminary indications that gingerol derivative evoked [Ca 2+ ]i transients have a faster [Ca 2+ ]ι clearance from the cytoplasm, compared to the slow decay of [Ca 2+ ]ι from capsaicin evoked [Ca 2t ]i transients. Either different affinities of these compounds for the receptor in comparison to capsaicin, or interaction with sub- populations/classes of receptors or additional stimulation of [Ca 2+ ] efflux from the cells were proposed to account for these differences. Both capsaicin and 1- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3- ol evoked [Ca 2+ ] 1 transients were abolished or greatly diminished in Ca 2+ -free medium or on the application of ruthenium red (1 μM) , a non-specific capsaicin antagonist. CONCLUSION 1. The data obtained suggest that 11 (out of the 14 gingerol derivatives tested) may bind to capsaicin-receptor in DRG neuronal cells in culture, subsequently opening ion channel (s) which are permeable to extracellular Ca 2+ . The rise in intracellular Ca 2+ in cells is known to mediate many biological events, particularly the signal transduction pathway which may lead to release of neuropeptides or factors that subsequently modulate pain transmission mechanisms. A rise in intracellular Ca 2+ is also known for capsaicin to result in desensitisation of nerve fibres toward further firing from pain stimuli. 2. There is structural specificity, particularly at the hydroxy moiety on the side chain, to evoke [Ca 2+ ]i transients in DRG neuronal cells from the gingerol derivatives. Despite the very close structural resemblance between 1- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-ol and 3- methyl-1- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl ) undecan-3-ol, the former showed a significant rise in [Ca 2+ ]ι, whereas the latter was ineffective. These data will direct future synthesis of more effective gingerol derivatives. 3. The difference in [Ca 2+ ]ι clearance from cytoplasm between capsaicin and gingerol derivatives may make the latter less neurotoxic than capsaicin because neurotoxicity is Ca 2+ dependent (Caterina et al , 1997) . Cyclo-oxygenase assay Cyclooxygenase (COX) is a haemprotein which catalyses the formation of PGH 2 from arachidonic acid. Two isoforms of COX have been identified and designated as COX-1 and COX-2. COX-1 is constitutively expressed in most tissue and performs a "housekeeping" function to synthesise prostaglandins which regulate normal cell activities including antithrombogenic activity and cytoprotection of gastric mucosa and kidney. COX-2 is an inducible enzyme which responds more rapidly and transiently to mediators of immunity, inflammation and tissue repair. Recently attention has been paid to the activity of COX-2 with increased evidence that downregulation of this enzyme activity will be important in control of inflammation and pain and an important strategy for preventing cancer since the enzyme catalyses the formation of prostaglandins which respectively mediate inflammation, pain, and have multiple effects that favour tumorigenesis . Selective inhibition of COX-2 will have many therapeutic applications without causing many undesirable effects to normal cell function. Cyclo-oxygenase (COX) assay was performed with cells in culture prepared from rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) 2H3 cell lines. Cells were cultured in EMEM containing 10% fetal calf serum and antibiotic until cells reached confluence. Harvested cells were subsequently seeded on 24- well plates at 1 x 10 6 cells/ml then incubated at 37°C for 3 hours. Cells were washed twice with incubation buffer (1.5 ml) containing 5 mM Hepes, 140 mM NaCl, 5 mM KCl, 0.6 mM MgCl 2 , 1 mM CaCl 2 and 55 mM glucose. Cells were then covered with 0.49 ml of buffer, followed by addition of samples/solvents (0.005 ml) and incubated at 37 °C for 5 min on an orbital shaker. Arachidonic acid (0.005 ml, containing 50% EtOH) was subsequently added, and the plate was incubated at similar conditions for a further 10 min. The supernatant (0.1 ml) was aliquoted for methoxime derivatisation of PGD, which was carried out by heating the supernatant with methoxime solution (1:1) at 60 °C for 30 min according to the instructions provided with the kit. The resultant solution was diluted with EIA buffer and stored on ice for EIA, following the protocol provided with the kit . Validation of COX enzyme activity was carried out using EIA in which the enzyme activity was characterised against various concentrations of AA and a time course of enzyme activity. All compounds were dissolved in DMSO and assayed at a final concentration of 10 μM. Indomethacin was used as reference compound. The concentration of DMSO in the assay was maintained at 1.5%. Lipoxygenase assay Lipoxygenases, including 5-, 12-, and 15-lipoxygenases and their products play enormous roles in maintaining cellular function. However, they are also the key factors that cause many pathophysiological conditions . Inhibition of these enzymes hence has many therapeutic applications in the treatment of inflammatory, allergic, cardiovascular and skin diseases. Among these enzymes, 5-lipoxygenase and their products, particularly the leukotriene series, are the most important and extensively studied, revealing that the enzyme and its products mediate certain respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, gastrointestinal, and CNS disorders. The principal therapeutic targets for 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors include allergic diseases, in particular, human bronchial asthma; chronic inflammatory diseases; myocardial ischemia; and inflammatory associated pain. Lipoxygenase (LP) assay was performed with cell-free enzyme (Wong et al , 1991) prepared from rat basophilic leukemia (RBL) 2H3 cell lines. Cells were cultured in EMEM containing 10% fetal calf serum and antibiotic until cells reached confluence. Harvested cells were resuspended in Hepes (10 mM) buffer, pH 7.4, containing 1 mM EDTA at 1 x 10 7 cells/ml, and disrupted by nitrogen cavitation using a Parr bomb at 750 psi for 15 min. The broken cells were centrifuged at 15,000 g for 30 min. Aliquots (0.1 ml) of the supernatant were preincubated with or without drugs in Hepes buffer (10 mM Hepes, pH 7 , 1 mM EDTA and 150 mM NaCl) for 5 min, and the reaction was initiated with the addition of 50 μl of CaCl 2 (16 mM) , 50 μl of ATP (2 mM) , 5 μl of PAF (2.5 mg/ml) and 5 μl of AA (2.5 mM) . The reaction mixture (1 ml in total) was incubated at room temperature for a further 8 min, then diluted with EIA buffer at 1/200 and 1/2000 dilutions and stored on ice for EIA following the protocol provided with the kit. Validation of LP enzyme activity was carried out by a UV spectrophotometric method in which the enzyme activity was characterised against various concentrations of Ca 2+ , ATP, PAF and AA with the measurement of the formation of diene conjugated products of LP at 235 nm. All compounds were dissolved in DMSO and assayed at a final concentration of 10 μM. NDGA was used as reference compound. The concentration of DMSO in the assay was maintained at 1.5%. RESULTS Neune of compounds Cyclooxygenase Lipoxygenase activity activity % activity % activity 1- ( 4-hydroxy-3 - 31 methoxyphenyl) dodecan- 3-ol 3 -hydroxy-1- ( 4- 18 193 hydroxy-3 - methoxyphenyl) dodecan- 5-one 5-hydroxy-1- (4- 16 65.5 hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl ) dodecan- 3-one 5-hydroxy-1- ( 4- 55 202 hydroxy-3 - methoxyphenyl ) decan-3 ■ one 5-hydroxy-1- (4- 19 37 hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) dodecan- l-ene-3-one 5-hydroxy-1- (3- 23 hydroxy-4- methoxyphenyl) dodecan- 3 -one 5-hydroxy-1- (2- 17 118 hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl ) dodec an-3-one 5-hydroxy-l- (4- 63 450 hydroxyphenyl) dodec an-3-one 5-hydroxy-l- (3,4- 59 107 methy1enedioxypheny 1) dodecan-3-one 1- (4-hydroxy-3- 10 26 methoxyphenyl ) dodec ane-3 , 5-diol 1-hydroxy-1- ( 4- 83 hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) undec an-2-one 2-hydroxy-l- (4- 95 61 hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) undec an-l-one [8] -shogaol 21 1- ( 4-hydroxy-3 - methoxyphenyl) dodec ane-1, 4-diene-3-one [8] -parado1 11 81 3-hydroxy-1- ( 4- 123 175 hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) decan -1-one 3-methyl-l-(4- 15 hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) undec an-3-ol 3-methyl-l-(4- hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) tride can-3-ol 1- ( 4-hydroxy-3- 12 35 methoxyphenyl) dodec an-5-ol Indomethacin (1 μM) 23 NDGA (0.5 μM) 20 There are structure-specific activities of the gingerol derivatives in inhibition of cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LP) . It was observed that alteration of the aromatic moiety and/or the functional group on the side chain of the gingerol derivatives severely altered the inhibitory activity of the compounds towards LP. This was, however, not the case in the inhibition of COX. Double bonds and methyl branches on the side chain seem to effectively enhance inhibitory potency of the gingerol derivatives towards lipoxygenase. These results in relation to the inhibition of cyclo-oxygenase and lipoxygenase of the gingerol derivatives, particularly gingerols and shogaol, support the traditional use of ginger in the treatment of inflammatory diseases and associated pain. The effective amount of the active compound required for use in the above conditions will vary both with the route of administration, the condition under treatment and the host undergoing treatment, and is ultimately at the discretion of the physician. In the above mentioned treatments, it is preferable to present the active compound as a pharmaceutical formulation. A pharmaceutical formulation of the present invention comprises the active compound together with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and optionally any other therapeutic ingredient . The formulation may conveniently be prepared in unit dosage form and may be prepared according to conventional pharmaceutical techniques. Additionally, the formulations may include one or more accessory ingredients, such as diluents, buffers, flavouring agents, binders, disintegrants, surface active agents, thickeners, lubricants, preservatives, enteric coatings and the like. PHARMACEUTICAL FORMULATION A typical tablet formulation comprises 20-50 mg of the active constituent, 50-200 mg of lactose, 5-30 mg of maize starch and 0.2- 1 mg of magnesium stearate. Preferably, the tablet formulation comprises 20-50 mg of the active constituent, about 100 mg of lactose, about 15 mg of maize starch and about 0.5 mg of magnesium stearate. MODIFIED GINGER EXTRACT FORMULATION The modified ginger extract can be administered in a liquid formula or syrup formulation. A typical liquid formula comprises 50-500 mg of extract in alcohol (max. 80% v/v) or glycerol, or in a sugar base preparation (1:1 liquid to sugar ratio) . Alternatively, modified ginger extract can be administered in a solid dosage form, which can be either as tablet, capsule, or powder. A typical tablet formulation comprises 50-500 mg of the modified ginger extract, 5-30 mg of maize starch or microcrystalline cellulose and 0.2-1 mg of magnesium stearate. Preferably, the tablet formulation comprises 50-500 mg of the extract, about 15 mg of maize starch or cellulose and about 0.5 mg of magnesium stearate. Capsule or powder dosage forms also contains 50-500 mg of the modified ginger extract. 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Suppression of spontaneous calcium spikes and contraction in isolated portal veins in mice by gingerols and chemically related compounds. Japan. J. Pharmacol. (1988), 48, 257-262. Masuda, T; Jitoe, A and Mabry, TJ. Isolation and structure determination of cassumunarins A, B, and C: new anti- inflammatory antioxidants from a tropical ginger, Zingiber cassumunar. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. (1995), 72, 1053-1057. Mitsubishi Chemical Industries Co., Ltd . Gingerols as cardiotonic agents. Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho JP 82 59,809, 10 April 1982, 4 pp. (Chemical Abstracts (1982), 97:33378k). Miyashita, M; Yoshikoshi, A. and Grieco, P A. Pyridinium p- toluenesulfonate. A mild and efficient catalyst for the tetrahydropyranylation of alcohols. J. Org. Chem. (1977), 42, 3772-3774. Munsiff, AV; Chander, PN; Levine, S and Stier CT. The lipoxygenase inhibitor phenidone protects against proteinuria and stroke in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats. Am. J. Hypertens. (1992), 5, 56-63. Mustafa, T; Srivastava, KC and Jensen, KB. Drug development report (9) : Pharmacology of ginger, Zingiber officinale . J. Drug Dev. (1993), 6, 25-39. Normura, H. The pungent principles of ginger. Part I. A new ketone, zingerone (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylethyl methyl ketone) occurring in ginger. J. Chem. Soc. (1917) , 111, 769-776. Noyori, R. and Takaya, T. (1990) BINAP: An efficient chiral element for asymmetric catalysis. Accounts of chemical research 23, 345-350. Onogi, T; Minami, M; Kuraishi, Y and Satoh, M. Capsaicin- like effect of [6] -shogaol on substance P-containing afferents of rats: A possible mechanism of analgesic action. Neuropharmacology (1992), 31, 1165-1169. Roderick, PJ; Wilkes, HC and Meade, TW. The gastrointestinal toxicity of aspirin: an overview of randomised controlled trials. British J. Clin. Pharmacol. ( 1993 ) , 35 , 219 -226 . Salmo, R. Treatment guidelines for hypertension criticised. Pharmacy Times (1995), Jan, 28-33. Sawamura, S; Mizuta, T and Shirakami, Y. Cardiotonics containing gingerol derivatives. (Nippon Kokan Kk) Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho JP 06,40,895 [94,40,895], 5 pp, (Chemical Abstracts (1994) 121:26913s) . Suekawa, M; Ishige, A; Yuasa, K; Sudo, K; Aburada, M and Hosoya, E. Pharmacological studies on ginger. I. Pharmacological actions of pungent constituents, [6]- gingerol and [6]-shogaol. J. Pharmacobio-Dyn. (1984), 7, 836-848. Suekawa, M; Sone, H; Sakakibara, I; Ikeya, Y; Aburada, M and Hosoya, E. Pharmacological studies on ginger. V. Pharmacological comparison between [6] -shogaol and capsaicin. Nippon Yakurigaku Zasshi (1986) , 88, 339-347. Takeda, S; Aburada, M; Asami, A; Ishihara, K; Fujiwara, T and Ichikawa, Y. Preparation of 1- (4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl ) -4-decen-3-ol from [6] -shogaol as 5- lipoxygenase inhibitor. (Tsumura and Co., Japan) WO 9215543, 24 pp. (Chemical Abstracts (1993) 118:124194). Tanaka, M; Urano, F and Tani, T. Phenolic ketone derivatives. (Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd., Japan; Tsumura Juntendo, Inc.). Jpn. Kokai Tokkyo Koho JP 61134338, 10 pp. (Chemical Abstracts (1987), 106:4657). Tran, VH. Structure-activity relationship and cardioactivity of phenolic substances acting on Ca 2* -ATPase. PhD Thesis University of Sydney, (1997) . Triggle, DJ. Cellular calcium metabolism: Activation and antagonism. J. Asthma (1984), 21, 375-385. Vincenzi, FF. Calmodulin pharmacology. Cell Calcium (1981) , 2, 387-409. Turner, NJ. Asymmetric synthesis using enzymes and whole cells. In Advanced asymmetric synthesis. Edited by Stephenson, GR (1996), pages 260-274. Wood J.N.(ed.), (1993) Capsaicin in the Study of Pain, Academic, New York, pp 268. Wood, JN, Coote, PR, Minhas, A, Mullaney, I, McNeill, M and Burgess, GM. (1988) Capsaicin induced ion fluxes in dorsal root ganglion cells in culture. Journal of Neuroscience 8, 3208-3220. Wrigglesworth R., Walpole C. S., Bevan S., Campbell E. A., Dray A., Hughes G. A., James I., Masdin K. 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Claims: The claims defining the invention are as follows: 1. A compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof : where R, is H, OH, OC^alkyl, N0 2 R- is OH, OC^alkyl , OC=OC 1 , 4 alkyl or 0C=0Ph where the Ph can be optionally substituted by halogen, C^ alkyl or N0 2 ; R λ and R 2 along with the two carbon atoms of the phenyl ring to which they are attached can combine to form a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic ring comprising 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from 0, S or N; R 3 is C 2 _ 12 alkyl, C 2.12 alkenyl or C 2.12 alkynyl each optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from -OR, =0, nitro, halogen, -NRR' , -COOR or -CONRR' where R and R' are H or C^alkyl; R 3 may be a linking group of a bis compound where R 3 is C 2.12 alkylene , C 2,12 alkenylene or C 2 _ 12 alkynylene each optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from -OR, =0, nitro, halogen, -NRR' , -COOR or -CONRR' where R and R' are H or C^alkyl; R 4 is H, CH 3 , OH or =0; when R 4 is =0, then the carbon to which R 4 is attached is not bonded to H; W is C(=0)-CH 2 , CH=CH-, CH 2 C0, CH(OH)-CH 2 , C(CH 3 ) (0H)CH 2 , CH 2 CH(OH), CH 2 C(CH 3 )OH, CO, CHOH, C(CH 3 ) (OH) , CH 2 , CH 2 CH 2 ; X is -CH-OH, C(CH 3 )0H, CH 2 , CH(CH 3 ) or -C=0; Y is -CH-OH, C(CH 3 )0H, CH 2 , CH(CH 3 ) or -C=0; provided that one of W, X or Y has an OH group and provided that when (1) R, is OC^alkyl, R 2 is OH or OAcyl, W = CH 2 CH 2 and X = C=0, R 3 is C 2.12 alkyl, R 4 is H, then Y is not CHOH (gingerols) (Mustafa et al, 1993); (2) R x is OCH 3 , R 2 is OH, W is CH 2 CH 2 , R 3 is C 5 or C 7 alkyl, R 4 is H and X = CHOH then Y is not CHOH (gingerdiol) (Mustafa et al, 1993); (3) R. is OCH 3 , R 2 is OH, W is CH=CH, R 3 is C 2.12 alkyl, R 4 is H and X is C=0, then Y is not CHOH (dehydrogingerols) ; (4) R. is OCH 3 , R 2 is OH, W = CH 2 CH 2 , X is CHOH, R 4 is H and R 3 is C 5 alkyl then Y is not CH 2 (reduced paradol) (Young-Joon et al, 1992); (5) R x is OCH 3 , R 2 is OH, W = CH 2 CH 2 , X is C=0, R 4 is H then Y is not C(OH)CH 3 (Sawamura et al) . 2. Method of use of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof: where R- is H, OH, OC^alkyl, N0 2 R 2 is OH, OC^alkyl, OC=OC 1 „ 4 alkyl or OC=OPh where the Ph can be optionally substituted by halogen, C^ alkyl or N0 2 ; R. and R 2 along with the two carbon atoms of the phenyl ring to which they are attached can combine to form a 5 or 6 membered heterocyclic ring comprising 1 or 2 heteroatoms selected from O, S or N; R 3 is C 2.12 alkyl, C 2.12 alkenyl or C 2.12 alkynyl each optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from -OR, =0, nitro, halogen, -NRR' , -COOR or -CONRR' where R and R' are H or C 1.4 alkyl; R 3 may be a linking group of a bis compound where R 3 is C 2.12 alkylene, C 2.12 alkenylene or C 2 _ 12 alkynylene each optionally substituted by one or more substituents selected from -OR, =0, nitro, halogen, -NRR', -COOR or -CONRR' where R and R' are H or C^alkyl; R 4 is H, CH 3 , OH or =0; when R 4 is =0, then the carbon to which R 4 is attached is not bonded to H; W is C(=0)-CH 2 , CH=CH-, CH 2 C0, CH(0H)-CH 2 , C(CH 3 ) (0H)CH 2 , CH 2 CH(0H), CH 2 C(CH 3 )0H, CO, CHOH, C(CH 3 ) (OH) , CH 2 , CH 2 CH 2 ; X is -CH-OH, C(CH 3 )OH, CH 2 , CH(CH 3 ) or -C=0; Y is -CH-OH, C(CH 3 )OH, CH 2 , CH(CH 3 ) or -C=0; provided that one of W, X or Y has an OH group in the treatment or prophylaxis of diseases by the inhibition of platelet aggregation. 3. Use of a compound of formula (I) as defined in claim 2 in the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prophylaxis of diseases by the inhibition of platelet aggregation 4. A pharmaceutical formulation comprising a compound of formula (I) as defined in claim 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 5. A compound selected from 1- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3 -ol 1- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecan-5-ol 3-methyl-l- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) undecan-3-ol 3-methyl-l- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) tridecan-3-ol 3 -hydroxy-1- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl ) dodecan-5-one 3-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) decan-1-one 3-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) dodecan-1-one 1-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) undecan-2-one 2-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl ) undecan-1-one 5-hydroxy-l- (2-hydroxy-3 -methoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-one ( [8] -orthogingerol) 5-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxyphenyl) decan-3-one 5-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxyphenyl) dodecan-3-one 5-hydroxy-l- (4-hydroxyphenyl) dodecan-l-ene-3-one 5-hydroxy-l- (3 , 4-methylenedioxyphenyl) dodecan-3-one 5, 12-dihydroxy-l, 16-bis (4-hydroxy-3- methoxyphenyl) hexadecane-3 , 14-dione 1- (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl )dodecane-l, 4-diene-3-one. 2-hydroxy-l- (3 , 4-dimethoxyphenyl) dodecan-3-one 2-hydroxy-l- (3 , 4-dimethoxyphenyl) undecan-4-one 1- (3 , 4-dimethoxyphenyl) dodecan-2-ol 6. Method of use of a compound of formula (I) as defined in claim 2 in the treatment or prophylaxis of pain by action on sensory nerves and/or through anti-inflammatory action and/or through neurokinin inhibitory action. 7. Method of use according to claim 6 where the compound of formula (I) is used as an analgesic. 8. Method of use of a compound of formula (I) as defined in claim 2 in the treatment or prophylaxis of cardiovascular disease. 9. A process of preparing compounds having the following formula n=l -10 which comprises treating ginger extract with heat and/or acid and then followed by treatment with a microorganism or enzyme.

Inventors: DUKE COLIN CHARLES, ROUFOGALIS BASIL DON, TRAN VAN HOAN, DUKE, COLIN, CHARLES, ROUFOGALIS, BASIL, DON, TRAN, VAN, HOAN
Applicants: DUKE COLIN CHARLES, ROUFOGALIS BASIL DON, TRAN VAN HOAN, UNIV SYDNEY, DUKE, COLIN, CHARLES, ROUFOGALIS, BASIL, DON, THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY, TRAN, VAN, HOAN
Application year: 1998
Main classification: C07C43
IPC codes: A61K31, C07C43, C07C45, C07C49, C07D317