Ginseng, the root of Panax ginseng C. A. MEYER, has been used as a food product and medicinal ingredient. In this study, we assessed the anti-arthritic effects of red ginseng saponin extract (RGSE), including ginsenosides Rg3, Rk1 and Rg5 as major components, on a murine type II collagen (CII)-induced arthritis (CIA), which is a valid animal model of human arthritis. Oral administration of RGSE at 10 mg/kg reduced the clinical arthritis score and paw swelling in the CIA mice, and inhibited joint space narrowing and histological arthritis, illustrating the severity of synovial hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration, pannus formation, and erosion of cartilage. RGSE inhibited the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-3 and nitrotyrosine formation, and recovered the expression of superoxide dismutase in the joints of the CIA mice. Orally administered RGSE also reduced the levels of serum tumor necrosis factor-a a and interleukin-1b b in the CIA mice. CII-or lipopolysaccharide-stimulated cytokine production, in addition to CII-specific proliferation, was reduced in the spleen cells of the RGSEtreated CIA mice, as compared with those from vehicle-treated CIA mice. Furthermore, RGSE administration protected against CIA-induced oxidative tissue damage by restoring the increased malondialdehyde levels and the decreased glutathione levels and catalase activities almost to control levels. Therefore, RGSE may be a beneficial supplement which can improve human arthritis.
Ginseng, the root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, is frequently used in traditional oriental medicines. The major active components of ginseng are the saponins, which are also called ginsenosides and are known for their pharmacological and biological activities. In this study, the effects of ginsenosides on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes were investigated after the ginsenosides were in vitro-digested with artificial gastric and intestinal fluids. Ginseng extract was incubated with an artificial digestive fluid, and the changes were analyzed by HPLC, after which the effects of the digest on 3T3-L1 adipocytes were observed. Polar ginsenosides were transformed into less-polar ginsenosides at the low pH of the gastric acid, without any influence from the digestive enzymes. Additionally, the artificially digested ginsenosides showed inhibitory effects on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. When the 3T3-L1 adipocytes were treated with various ginseng samples that possessed different polarities, the less polar ginsenosides were more effective in reducing lipid accumulation. Furthermore, when the Rg3, Rk1, and Rg5 ginsenosides were used to treat the cells individually, Rg3 ginsenoside was the most effective at inhibiting lipid accumulation. These results suggest that the less polar ginsenosides, particularly ginsenoside Rg3, effectively reduce lipid accumulation in adipocytes. Accordingly, our results suggest that ginsenoside Rg3 should be developed as an antiobesity treatment.
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