Korean Red Ginseng and Ginsenoside Rg3 Suppress Asian Sand Dust-Induced Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition in Nasal Epithelial Cells

Abstract

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is characterized by chronic inflammation of the sinonasal mucosa with epithelial dedifferentiation toward the mesenchymal phenotype, known as the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Asian sand dust (ASD) can induce nasal mucosal inflammation and cause the development of EMT. Korean red ginseng (KRG) and ginsenoside Rg3 have been used as traditional herbal medicines to treat various diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate their effect on ASD-induced EMT in nasal epithelial cells. Primary nasal epithelial cells were incubated with ASD with or without KRG or Rg3, and the production of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and interleukin (IL)-8 was measured. EMT markers were determined by RT-PCR, Western blot analysis, and confocal microscopy, and transcription factor expression by Western blot analysis. The effect on cell migration was evaluated using the wound scratch assay. Results showed ASD-induced TGF-β1 production, downregulation of E-cadherin, and upregulation of fibronectin in nasal epithelial cells. KRG and Rg3 suppressed TGF-β1 production (31.7% to 43.1%), upregulated the expression of E-cadherin (26.4% to 88.3% in mRNA), and downregulated that of fibronectin (14.2% to 46.2% in mRNA and 52.3% to 70.2% in protein). In addition, they suppressed the ASD-induced phosphorylation of ERK, p38, and mTOR, as well as inhibiting the ASD-induced migration of nasal epithelial cells (25.2% to 41.5%). The results of this study demonstrate that KRG and Rg3 inhibit ASD-induced EMT by suppressing the activation of ERK, p38, and mTOR signaling pathways in nasal epithelial cells.

The effects of Pycnogenol, a pine bark extract on pulmonary inflammation by Asian sand dust in mice

“…Moreover, rapid industrialization is exacerbating the threat posed by ASD to human and animal health because of the presence of harmful substances, including nanoscale materials, heavy metals, organic chemicals, and allergens ( Sadakane et al. 2019 ; Shin et al. 2022 ).…”

“…ASD, which affects Northeast Asia during spring and autumn, is associated with several diseases in China, Japan, and Korea, including respiratory, ocular, and skin diseases (Sadakane et al 2022). Moreover, rapid industrialization is exacerbating the threat posed by ASD to human and animal health because of the presence of harmful substances, including nanoscale materials, heavy metals, organic chemicals, and allergens (Sadakane et al 2019;Shin et al 2022). To minimise the risk of ASD, the country is putting various measures in place, such as ASD warnings and recommendations to wear masks.…”

Anti-Fibrosis Effect of Panax ginseng and Inula japonica Formula in Human Pulmonary Fibroblasts

“…Furthermore, α-SMA is reduced by ginsenoside Rg1, one of the main active ingredients of P. ginseng [ 34 ]. Heat-processed P. ginseng and ginsenoside Rg3 can downregulate fibronectin expression [ 35 ]. However, in our study, when only P. ginseng was treated, the expression levels of the EMT markers, such as α-SMA and fibronectin, were not inhibited ( Figure 5 ).…”