Rescue of Helicobacter pylori–Induced Cytotoxicity by Red Ginseng

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori has been known to provoke gastric inflammation, ulceration, and DNA damage, based on which WHO defined H. pylori as a class I carcinogen. Although ginseng, the root of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, has been reported to possess antiadhesion or antimicrobial activity against H. pylori, in this study, we examined the protective effect of red ginseng extracts (RGE) against H. pylori-induced cytotoxicity and DNA damage. RGE significantly attenuated both H. pyloriinduced DNA damage assessed by comet assay and apoptosis measured by DNA fragmentation. Inactivation of ERK1/2 signaling and attenuation of caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage were revealed with RGE against H. pylori infection. RGE decreased H. pylori-stimulated IL-8 gene expression, which resulted from the transcriptional regression of NF-κB. In conclusion, RGE showed significant gastroprotective effects against H. pylori-associated gastric mucosal cell damage, suggesting that red ginseng could be used as a medicinal phytonutrient against H. pylori infection.

Inhibitory Activities and Attenuated Expressions of 5-LOX with Red Ginseng in Helicobacter pylori-Infected Gastric Epithelial Cells

“…Apparent hindrance of DNA binding of redoxsensitive transcription factor, NF-κB, which was triggered by H pylori infection, was seen after RGE treatment in dosedependent manner. Because RGE pretreatment significantly reduced proinflammatory cytokine, IL-8, and protected gastric epithelium against H pylori-induced cytotoxicity in our previous study [20], we repeatedly examined whether RGE treatment can decrease the IL-8 transcripts after H pylori infection (see Fig. 4B).…”

“…Based on our previous report that the rescuing action of red ginseng extract (RGE) from H pylori-associated cytotoxicity through the efficient inhibitory actions of both MAPK and repression of redox-sensitive transcription factor [20] and on other's reports showing the influence of ginsenoside isolate or panaxynol isolated from ginseng on either intracellular calcium [21,22] or mediators like COX-2 and nuclear factor (NF)-κB [23,24], we hypothesized that RGE can modulate H pylori-associated gastric inflammation through modulating LOX activities and measured the LOX activities by both reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and thin layer chromatography (TLC) and checked its expression by Western blotting in gastric mucosal cells.…”

“…Meyer) can inhibit Helicobacter pylori-induced mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling with repressing either nuclear factor (NF)-κB-DNA binding activity or releases of IL-8 and COX-2 in gastric epithelial cells (Dig Dis Sci 50:1218-1227, 2005. We extended the experiment to prove whether RGE influences 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) pathway, thereby suppressing the biosynthesis of 5(S)-HETE.…”

Korean Red Ginseng: Qualitative and Quantitative Benefits on Helicobacter pylori Infection

“…Several studies have demonstrated the antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects of ginseng [27][28][29][30][31][32]. Ginsenoside Rb1 was shown to inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced expression of the proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a, while acidic polysaccharide from ginseng reportedly inhibits the adherence of H. pylori to human gastric epithelial cells (Fig.…”

“…Therefore, can ginseng be used to treat H. pylori-infected gastric mucosal cells? Our group has documented that Korean red ginseng alleviates H. pylori-induced cytotoxicity [27] and mitigates oxidative stress-induced DNA mutation. In addition, Korean red ginseng decreased H. pylori-stimulated interleukin (IL)-8 expressions, supporting its use as a medicinal phytonutrient in H. pylori infection [21].…”