Ginger attenuates acetylcholine-induced contraction and Ca2+ signaling in murine airway smooth muscle cells.

Authors

Muhammad N. Ghayur, McMaster University
Anwar Hassan Gilani, Aga Khan UniversityFollow
Luke J. Janssen, McMaster University

Document Type

Article

Department

Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by inflammation and hypersensitivity of airway smooth muscle cells (ASMCs) to different spasmogens. The past decade has seen increased use of herbal treatments for many chronic illnesses. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a common food plant that has been used for centuries in treating respiratory illnesses. In this study, we report the effect of its 70% aqueous methanolic crude extract (Zo·Cr) on acetylcholine (ACh)-induced airway contraction and Ca²⁺ signalling in ASMCs using mouse lung slices. Airway contraction and Ca²⁺ signalling, recorded via confocal microscopy, were induced with ACh, either alone or after pretreatment of slices with Zo·Cr and (or) verapamil, a standard Ca²⁺ channel blocker. ACh (10 μmol/L) stimulated airway contraction, seen as decreased airway diameter, and also stimulated Ca²⁺ transients (sharp rise in [Ca²⁺]_i) and oscillations in ASMCs, seen as increased fluo-4-induced fluorescence intensity. When Zo·Cr (0.3–1.0 mg/mL) was given 30 min before ACh administration, the ACh-induced airway contraction and Ca²⁺ signalling were significantly reduced. Similarly, verapamil (1 μmol/L) also inhibited agonist-induced airway contraction and Ca²⁺ signalling, indicating a similarity in the modes of action. When Zo·Cr (0.3 mg/mL) and verapamil (1 μmol/L) were given together before ACh, the degree of inhibition was the same as that observed when each of these blockers was given alone, indicating absence of any additional inhibitory mechanism in the extract. In Ca²⁺-free solution, both Zo·Cr and verapamil, when given separately, inhibited Ca²⁺ (10 mmol/L)-induced increase in fluorescence and airway contraction. This shows that ginger inhibits airway contraction and associated Ca²⁺ signalling, possibly via blockade of plasma membrane Ca²⁺ channels, thus reiterating the effectiveness of this age-old herb in treating respiratory illnesses

Publication (Name of Journal)

Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology

Recommended Citation

Ghayur, M. N., Gilani, A. H., Janssen, L. J. (2008). Ginger attenuates acetylcholine-induced contraction and Ca2+ signaling in murine airway smooth muscle cells.. Canadian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology, 86(5), 264-271.
Available at: https://ecommons.aku.edu/pakistan_fhs_mc_bbs/239