Induction of resistance vessel dilation by ginger root juice, possibly through extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase activation in endothelial cells. Issue 3 (1st September 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bird, Elizabeth; Shah, Dinesh M.
• Is Part Of: Family medicine and community health. Volume 1:Issue 3(2013)
• Page Start: 12
• Page End: 18
• Publication Date: 2013-09-01
• Subjects: Ginger -- Resistance blood vessels -- Vasodilation -- ERK1/2 -- eNOS -- Phosphorylation -- Myography -- Endothelial cell; Family medicine -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Family medicine; Public health; Family Practice; Community Health Services; General Practice; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodical; 610.5
• DOI: 10.15212/FMCH.2013.0304
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2305-6983

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To investigate the effects of ginger root juice on contractibility of resistance blood vessels from mice and on activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) in human endothelial cells. Methods: Juice was prepared from semi-dry ginger roots. Mesenteric artery rings were dissected from healthy adult C57BL/J6 mice. Primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were isolated from umbilical cords of normal full-term babies. The contractibility of the dissected vessel rings in the presence or absence of ginger root juice at 0.1% (v/v) after potassium (100 mM KCL) stimulation was measured by wire myography. The phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and eNOS in the presence of ginger root juice in the culture medium at 0, 0.025%, 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.2% (v/v) in HUVECs were assessed by western blotting analysis. Results: An immediate sharp increase in the contractile activity was observed in mesenteric artery rings in response to KCL stimulation. Ginger root juice effectively attenuated the KCL-mediated vessel contraction. Moreover, ginger root juice significantly increased phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and eNOS in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: Ginger root juice is capable of relaxing resistance blood vessels. Activation of ERK1/2 and eNOS through phosphorylation in endothelial cells may be a mechanism underlying the vasodilator activity of ginger root.