Suppression of IL-1β-induced MUG5AC Gene Expression by Ginkgo biloba Extract(EGb 761) in Human Airway Epithelial Cells

Background and Objectives：The purpose of this study is to investigate whether Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) can suppress IL-1β-induced MUC5AC gene expression in NCI-H292 human airway epithelial cells and to discover what its possible mechanism is. Materials and Methods：NCI-H292 human pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma cell line was used. MUC5AC mRNA and protein were measured using the RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. The activation of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were determined by means of the Western blot analysis. Results：MUC5AC was induced by treating the NCI-H292 cells with 10 ng/ml of IL-1β for 24 hours. A pre-treatment of 200 μg/ml of EGb 761 significantly suppressed the IL-1β induced MUC5AC expression. The inhibition of MUC5AC gene expression by EGb 761 was noted to be suppressed via both the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and the p38 MAPK pathways in a kinase-specific inhibitor study. Conclusion：EGb 761 suppresses IL-1β-induced MUC5AC gene expression in the human airway epithelial cells. Therefore, it may be considered as a possible anti-hypersecretory agent.ope