Abstract: The intestinal barrier plays a key role in preventing harmful substance invasions and maintaining intestinal homeostasis, with tight junction proteins being essential for maintaining the integrity of the intestinal barrier. This review summarizes the structural composition of the intestinal barrier, the role of tight junction in maintaining intestinal physiological functions, with an emphasis on the potential application value of the major phenolic components in ginger, 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol, for alleviating tight junction damage. Through comprehensive analysis of clinical research and experimental results in recent years, it is found that 6-gingerol and 6-shogaol can improve the expression levels of tight junction-related proteins and maintain the integrity and biofunction of the intestinal barrier by inhibiting inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis as well as regulating the composition of intestinal microbiota. This paper provides a theoretical basis and insights for understanding the mechanisms of action of ginger phenolic compounds in regulating health and for expanding their application scopes.

Key words: 6-gingerol; 6-shogaol; tight junction; intestinal barrier; intestinal injury