Daikenchuto (Da-Jian-Zhong-Tang) ameliorates intestinal fibrosis by activating myofibroblast transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 channel

Figure 4 Crude components/ingredient of Daikenchuto induce Ca²⁺ responses via the transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 channel with anti-fibrotic effects in intestinal myofibroblasts. A-D: Representative [Ca²⁺]_i responses in InMyoFibs cells. Cells were exposed to ginger (0.1%), Japanese pepper (0.1%), 6-shogaol (10 μmol/L), or hydroxy-α-sanshool (1 μmol/L), which evoked measurable increases in [Ca²⁺]_i; E and F: Cells were exposed to ginseng radix (0.1%), ginsenoside Rb1 (100 μmol/L), or AITC (10 μmol/L). Only AITC evoked a measurable increase in [Ca²⁺]_i in InMyoFib. The vertical axis indicates the 340/380 fluorescence ratio. Respective data points represent means ± SEM from > 30 cells; G: Ginger (0.1%) or Japanese pepper (0.1%) suppressed TGF-β1-induced α-SMA expression in InMyoFibs. Immunostaining images of InMyoFibs with anti-α-SMA (green) antibody and DAPI (blue), and no treatment or 24 h TGF-β1 (5 ng/mL) treatment. AITC: Allyl isothiocyanate; InMyoFib: Intestinal myofibroblast; α-SMA: α-Smooth muscle actin; TGF-β1: Transforming growth factor-β1.