Protective Effects on Central Nervous System by Acidic Polysaccharide of Panax ginseng in Relapse-Remitting Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis-Induced SJL/J Mice

Abstract

Bearing pathologic and clinical similarities to human multiple sclerosis (MS), experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) is used as a murine model to test potential therapeutic agents for MS. Recently, we reported the protective effects of an acidic polysaccharide of Panax ginseng (APG) in C57BL/6 strain-dependent EAE, a model of primary progressive MS. In this study, we extend our previous findings on the therapeutic capacity of APG in relapsing-remitting EAE (rr-EAE), the animal model to closely mimic recurrent inflammatory demyelination lesions of relapsing-remitting MS. Treatments with APG led to a significant reduction of clinical symptoms and the relapse rate of EAE than vehicle treatments. Consistent with this, histological examination revealed that APG markedly modulated the infiltration of CD4[Formula: see text] T cells and CD11b[Formula: see text] macrophages into the spinal cord and the APG-treated CNS was devoid of demyelination and axonal damages. In addition, APG decreased the proliferation of peripheral PLP-reactive T cells and the production of pro-inflammatory factors such as IFN-[Formula: see text], IL-17 and TNF-[Formula: see text]. The fact that APG can induce clinically beneficial effects to distinct types of EAE furthers our understanding on the basis of its immunosuppression in EAE and, possibly, in MS. Our results suggest that APG may serve as a new therapeutic agent for MS as well as other human autoimmune diseases, and warrants continued evaluation for its translation into therapeutic application.

The “Treatise on the spleen and stomach” (Pí Wèi Lùn) as the first record of multiple sclerosis in the medical literature – A hypothesis based on the analysis of clinical presentation and herbal medicine

“…Third, APG reversed demyelination and the progression of axonal damage in relapsing-remitting EAE. 57 In this case, APG induced remission of demyelination and axonal damage. 57 Fourth, GRA/GA caused a proliferation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) which promoted remyelination.…”

“… 57 In this case, APG induced remission of demyelination and axonal damage. 57 Fourth, GRA/GA caused a proliferation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) which promoted remyelination. 63 Furthermore, in another study, besides inhibiting demyelination and reducing further myelin damage in EAE, GA caused the differentiation of OPCs and their maturation into oligodendrocytes (OLGs) in vivo and in vitro via GSK-3β modulation signaling pathways.…”

“… 53 Seven studies were retrieved specifically on the use of Ginseng for EAE. 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 Ginseng can be classified according to their countries of origin: Panax ginseng or Korean Ginseng (人参 rén shēn ), Panax japonicus or Japanese ginseng , Panax notoginseng or Chinese ginseng (三七 sān qī ), Panax quinquefolius or American Ginseng (西洋参 xī yáng shēn ), and Panax vietnamensis or Vietamese ginseng . 61 In general, the plants of the genus Panax have important pharmacological activities attributed to its main active principle, a saponin, known as ginsenoside .…”

Panax ginseng: a candidate herbal medicine for autoimmune disease

“…In contrast, this acidic polysaccharide upregulated Treg cells [36]. Acidic polysaccharides can also lower the levels of immune cell infiltration in the spinal cord, splenic proinflammatory cytokines, spinal demyelination, and neurological scores in a proteolipid protein peptide–induced RRMS EAE mouse model, similar to their effects in an MOG-induced chronic EAE mouse model [37].…”

Study on the Structure of Ginseng Glycopeptides with Anti-Inflammatory and Analgesic Activity

“…Furthermore, there are still other works that have focused on the research of ginseng polypeptides [ 9 ]. In recent years, some studies reported that the ginseng polysaccharides and glycoconjugates also have a variety of biological activities [ 10 ]. With the improvement of the level of modern research and analysis, more plant glycoconjugates with biological roles will be revealed.…”