Abstract

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 120µmol or carbachol 100µmol 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.