The effects of crude and processed ginger extracts and pungent components, S-(+)-[6]-gingerol and [6]-shogaol, on noradrenaline (NA)- and prostaglandin (PG) F2 alpha-induced contraction were investigated using mouse mesenteric veins. Both spicy constituents inhibited the contractile responses to NA. Crude ginger extract and S-(+)-[6]-gingerol potentiated the PGF2 alpha-induced contraction, whereas processed ginger extract and [6]-shogaol inhibited the contraction.