The Effect of Ginger Hydroalcholic Extract on Rat Ileal Contraction in Vitro

Background Ginger is a medicinal plant with wide use around the world which has several therapeutic implications especially in gastrointestinal discomfort such as dyspepsia, flatulence, colic, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Objectives Therefore, given the widespread use of ginger for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, in the present study we have investigated the effect of this herbal medicine and underlying mechanism on pre-contracted rat ileum segments. Materials and Methods In this experimental study, 40 male rat divided to 5 groups (n = 8 in each group) randomly. Groups were consisting: ginger alone, KCl + ginger, carbachol + ginger, pretreated with L-NAME and KCl + ginger, pretreated with verapamil and KCl + ginger. To investigate the mechanism underlying relaxation induced by ginger extract on rat ileum, isolated rat ileum segments were pre-contracted by KCl 120 μmol or carbachol 100 μmol and then relaxation response induced by ginger hydroalcholic extracts (with 100 or 200 µg/mL of organ bath) was studied in the presence of verapamil (a calcium channel blocker agents) and L-NAME (a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor). Results Non-cumulative concentrations of ginger extract (100 and 200 μg/mL) was able to decrease contractile responses to KCl (120 μmol/mL of organ bath) and carbachol (100 μmol/mL of organ bath) in a dose dependent manner (P < 0.05). Incubation of tissue with L-NAME (300 μmol/mL) was not able to reduce the relaxation response; however incubation with verapamil inhibited the relaxation response induced by ginger extract. Conclusions The relaxation response induced by ginger extract in the present study was not mediated by nitric oxide. However calcium channel may contribute to relaxation response.