Jun Ginger Extract Improves Cold-Induced Asthma by Inhibiting Airway Inflammation via PI3K/AKT Pathway

Jun Ginger (JG), a differently processed product from conventional dried ginger (CDG), lacks research on its health benefits. The study was designed to elucidate the bioactive components and therapeutic mechanisms of JG for cold-induced asthma (CA). In the present study, after the extraction methods of different processing products were optimized, the components of the aqueous-soluble extract of JG (JGAE) were identified by LC-TOF-MS. The protection of JGAE against CA was explored using CA mice and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-injured BEAS-2B cells. After the metabolomics analysis, network pharmacology prediction and molecular docking test were performed, the effect of JGAE in regulating the phosphatidylinositol 3'-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway was explored and validated by the PI3K inhibitor LY294002 and activator 740Y-P. The results showed that JGAE outperformed CDG and volatile oil of JG in ameliorating CA, and gingerols were the main components. JGAE decreased the Penh value, inflammatory cells, Th2-type cytokines and MUC5AC, and increased aquaporin 1 (AQP1) and AQP5. Metabolomics analysis indicated that the acidic metabolites were restored after JGAE treatment. Network pharmacology and molecular docking results suggested that downregulating the PI3K/Akt pathway might be the key mechanism, which was validated by the PI3K inhibitor and activator. These findings indicate that JG is a potential dietary intervention for CA management by downregulating the PI3K/Akt pathway, and gingerols might be the main active component.