Background and Objectives:The purpose of this study is to investigate whether Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) can suppress IL-1β-induced MUC5AC gene expression in NCI-H292 human airway epithelial cells and to discover what its possible mechanism is. Materials and Methods:NCI-H292 human pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma cell line was used. MUC5AC mRNA and protein were measured using the RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. The activation of mitogen activated protein kinases (MAPKs) were determined by means of the Western blot analysis. Results:MUC5AC was induced by treating the NCI-H292 cells with 10 ng/ml of IL-1β for 24 hours. A pre-treatment of 200 μg/ml of EGb 761 significantly suppressed the IL-1β induced MUC5AC expression. The inhibition of MUC5AC gene expression by EGb 761 was noted to be suppressed via both the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and the p38 MAPK pathways in a kinase-specific inhibitor study. Conclusion:EGb 761 suppresses IL-1β-induced MUC5AC gene expression in the human airway epithelial cells. Therefore, it may be considered as a possible anti-hypersecretory agent.