About 1 in 12 people in the United States have asthma, and that number is on the rise. A recent study found that two ingredients in tonic water might be effective for treating this condition.
Researchers from the US and Australia discovered that chloroquine and quinine, which are used to treat malaria and also give tonic water its unique, bitter taste, could prevent asthma development in mice. These compounds prompt the bitter taste receptors in the mice, slowing down asthma’s progress.
Dr. Pawan Sharma from Australia’s University of Technology and his team shared this groundbreaking information in the journal, “Scientific Reports.” They believe their research on taste receptors could pave the way for creating new types of asthma medication in the future.
Asthma, a condition affecting millions of children and adults in the US, is commonly triggered by allergens like dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and mold. When breathed in, these substances can cause the airways to become inflamed, leading to symptoms like breathlessness, wheezing, coughing, and chest pain. While there are drugs available to manage these symptoms, none of them target the disease’s progression.
The recent study by Dr. Sharma and colleagues builds upon their previous finding that adding TAS2R agonists, which are substances that stimulate the acidic taste receptors, might help lessen common symptoms of asthma, specifically allergic asthma.
To verify their findings, the scientists gave mice (who serve as models for allergic asthma) doses of chloroquine or quinine through the nose. After 24 hours, exposure to two allergens assessed the mice’s lung function, airway inflammation, and airway structure.
The study found that both chloroquine and quinine not only prevented airway inflammation in mice, but these bitter compounds also inhibited other critical aspects of allergic asthma, like mucus buildup and structural changes in the airway.
Additionally, when applying chloroquine and quinine to human airway cells, it was observed that these compounds blocked the movement of immune cells in response to allergens, thus helping to prevent airway inflammation.
While these findings are promising, the team recognizes that more research is needed to find more effective TAS2R agonists for possible asthma treatment. They also suggest the potential of repurposing existing drugs for treating asthma, optimistically noting that advancements in medicinal chemistry and computer modeling could speed up the drug discovery process.
