The relaxation effect of ethanolic extract of temu putih (Curcuma zedoaria) on the histamine-1 receptor in isolated guinea pigs tracheal

Asthma is among the most prevalent non-communicable diseases worldwide, affecting approximately 235 million individuals, primarily children. The major risk factors for asthma include genetic predisposition to certain airborne allergens and environmental exposure to these allergens. To manage asthma, therapies often involve relaxing the respiratory tract's smooth muscles by counteracting the effect of phosphodiesterase activity, which normally induces muscle constriction. This enzyme also lowers calcium levels by phosphorylating contractile proteins. Herbal treatments are frequently used as complementary therapies for asthma, with many key treatments deriving from herbs, such as B2-agonists, anticholinergics, methylxanthines, and chromones. This study aimed to determine if white turmeric could alleviate contraction in isolated tracheal smooth muscle triggered by acetylcholine in an organ bath setting. The study found that the ethanol extract of Temu Putih (EETP), which contains flavonoids, was as effective in reducing the contraction of guinea pig trachea smooth muscle induced by acetylcholine as atropine sulphate at a concentration of 1 × 10-6 M. Moreover, the effect of acetylcholine alone compared to its effect when incubated with EETH showed a significant difference (p < 0.05), suggesting that the inhibition of the PDE enzyme by white turmeric is responsible for its muscle-relaxing properties.