# Novel nutriceuticals relax airway smooth muscle and decrease inflammation in allergic lung disease

> **NIH NIH R01** · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · 2022 · $475,007

## Abstract

Abstract
The Center for Disease Control reported that 7.8% of the US population suffered from asthma in 2015 with much
higher incidences in those of African-American or Latino heritage (13.9%) or those below the poverty level
(11.1%). For decades, asthma maintenance therapies have relied on inhaled corticosteroids and -agonists, yet
nearly 40% of asthmatics have inadequate control of their symptoms. Emerging biologic therapies with
antibodies targeting IgE, cytokines and cytokine receptors are limited to small subsets of carefully phenotyped
patients, are expensive, and require monthly administration in a health care setting due to anaphylaxis potential.
Moreover, no new therapeutic classes of medications that acutely relax airway smooth muscle and
bronchoconstriction have been introduced for many decades. Novel therapies that target both airway smooth
muscle relaxation and a reduction in allergic lung inflammation would be of enormous clinical benefit. We have
identified purified natural components of ginger that acutely relax airway smooth muscle via inhibition of two
families of phosphodiesterases that are critical importance in smooth muscle cell function; cyclic nucleotide
phosphodiesterases (PDE) and phospholipase C (PLC). Since these compounds undergo metabolism, we have
partnered with a world expert in 6-shogaol metabolism to identify human metabolites and even novel synthetic
derivatives that retain enhanced potency for airway smooth muscle effects. We have also demonstrated
dramatic anti-inflammatory effects of 6-shogaol and inhibition of phospholipase C signaling pathways in
macrophages and lymphocytes. Thus, we present a unified cell signaling mechanistic hypothesis of how 6-
shogaol derivatives achieve this dual benefit in allergic lung disease: relaxation of airway smooth muscle and
anti-inflammation. In aim 1, we will continue our analysis of human metabolites and novel synthetic derivatives
of 6-shogaol to identify the structural requirements for PLC and PDE inhibition and smooth muscle relaxation
while identifying derivatives with greater potency than the parent 6-shogaol compound in human upper and lower
airways. In aim 2, we will demonstrate the mechanism by that these novel metabolites and synthetic derivatives
impair activation of human macrophages and CD4+ lymphocytes in vitro and in situ in murine precision cut lung
slices. In aim 3, we will unite these mechanistic findings and demonstrate therapeutic potential in vivo. Acute
bronchodilatory effects will be demonstrated by the forced oscillatory technique in mouse lungs and chronic anti-
inflammatory effects during chronic house dust mite antigen sensitization will be demonstrated. These studies
will demonstrate the function, mechanism and therapeutic potential of novel compounds with enhanced potency
for targeting two key pathologic features of asthma; airway hyperresponsiveness and lung inflammation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10310424
- **Project number:** 5R01HL144852-03
- **Recipient organization:** COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** CHARLES W EMALA
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $475,007
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-12-01 → 2023-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10310424

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10310424, Novel nutriceuticals relax airway smooth muscle and decrease inflammation in allergic lung disease (5R01HL144852-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10310424. Licensed CC0.

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