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.