Ginsenoside Rh1 Improves the Effect of Dexamethasone on Autoantibodies Production and Lymphoproliferation in MRL/lpr Mice

Abstract

Ginsenoside Rh1 is able to upregulate glucocorticoid receptor (GR) level, suggesting Rh1 may improve glucocorticoid efficacy in hormone-dependent diseases. Therefore, we investigated whether Rh1 could enhance the effect of dexamethasone (Dex) in the treatment of MRL/lpr mice. MRL/lpr mice were treated with vehicle, Dex, Rh1, or Dex + Rh1 for 4 weeks. Dex significantly reduced the proteinuria and anti-dsDNA and anti-ANA autoantibodies. The levels of proteinuria and anti-dsDNA and anti-ANA autoantibodies were further decreased in Dex + Rh1 group. Dex, Rh1, or Dex + Rh1 did not alter the proportion of CD4+ splenic lymphocytes, whereas the proportion of CD8+ splenic lymphocytes was significantly increased in Dex and Dex + Rh1 groups. Dex + Rh1 significantly decreased the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ splenic lymphocytes compared with control. Con A-induced CD4+ splenic lymphocytes proliferation was increased in Dex-treated mice and was inhibited in Dex + Rh1-treated mice. Th1 cytokine IFN-γ mRNA was suppressed and Th2 cytokine IL-4 mRNA was increased by Dex. The effect of Dex on IFN-γ and IL-4 mRNA was enhanced by Rh1. In conclusion, our data suggest that Rh1 may enhance the effect of Dex in the treatment of MRL/lpr mice through regulating CD4+ T cells activation and Th1/Th2 balance.

Ginsenoside Rh1: A Systematic Review of Its Pharmacological Properties

“…These results suggest that the improved symptoms of skin lesions were partly related to the reduction of IgE, which might have come from the upregulation of IFN-γ expression. However, this contradicted to the later work of Feng et al [46] in which they reported that G-Rh1 decreased IFN-γ mRNA ▶ Jung et al [30] and increased IL-4 mRNA levels. In this study, they also found that potential G-Rh1 (25 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally) in combination with dexamethasone (1 mg/kg/day) significantly decreased proteinuria levels and the levels of anti-dsDNA and anti-ANA autoantibodies compared to those of dexamethasone alone in MRL/lpr mice, suggesting that G-Rh1 might potentiate the effects of dexamethasone in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus [46].…”

“…However, this contradicted to the later work of Feng et al [46] in which they reported that G-Rh1 decreased IFN-γ mRNA ▶ Jung et al [30] and increased IL-4 mRNA levels. In this study, they also found that potential G-Rh1 (25 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally) in combination with dexamethasone (1 mg/kg/day) significantly decreased proteinuria levels and the levels of anti-dsDNA and anti-ANA autoantibodies compared to those of dexamethasone alone in MRL/lpr mice, suggesting that G-Rh1 might potentiate the effects of dexamethasone in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus [46]. As for other immunoglobulins, G-Rh1 was shown to significantly enhance OVA-specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b antibody levels in OVA-immunized mice compared to the OVA group [47].…”

“…Four trials provided information about conflicts of interest [38,45,46,70]. Finally, we have no details to verify unit of analysis errors and whether new animals had been added to replace dropouts from the original population.…”

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“…Moreover, only one study reported the number of animals in analysis while the rest did not mention this [46]. In consequence, attrition bias of almost studies are unclear.…”

Ginsenosides Regulates Innate Immunity to Affect Immune Microenvironment of AIH Through Hippo-YAP/TAZ Signaling Pathway

“…As a sort of traditional Chinese medicine, Ginseng has been applied for a long time due to the presence of ginsenosides as a main active ingredient (GSS) (24). GSS shows a structure similar to glucocorticoid steroid, which is conducive not only to up-regulating glucocorticoid receptor (GR) both in vivo and in vitro, but also to producing glucocorticoid-like effect (25,26). As suggested by some studies, ginsenoside Rg1 is capable to inhibit not only the secretion of inflammatory cytokines but also the recruitment of CD4 + and CD8 + T cells to the liver (27).…”