Suppressive Effects of Ginsan on the Development of Allergic Reaction in Murine Asthmatic Model

Abstract

Background: Asthma is a major health problem worldwide, and the morbidity and mortality caused by asthma are on the rise. Corticosteroid therapies for asthma treatment frequently induce many side effects. Therefore, the development of new medicines that have both high efficacy and fewer side effects has been a scientific challenge. Here we tested the effect of ginsan, a polysaccharide derived from Panax ginseng, against allergic reaction in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine asthmatic model in comparison with dexamethasone, and investigated its underlying mechanism. Methods: To induce murine asthma, mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA. Ginsan or dexamethasone was administered by injection 3 times a week. Airway hyperresponsiveness, airway inflammation and lung pathology were assessed in order to evaluate the effect of ginsan against asthma. Results: Ginsan treatment reduced airway hyperresponsiveness, remodeling and eosinophilia. These effects of ginsan were equivalent to those of dexamethasone. Ginsan treatment decreased the IL-5 level in the supernatant of cultured splenocytes, while IFN-γ and serum IgE were not altered. To elucidate the mechanism of ginsan, expression of inflammation-related genes were screened. Interestingly, ginsan treatment upregulated cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 mRNA, and expression of their proteins in the lung were also increased. PGE₂ in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was also increased by the ginsan treatment. Lastly, ginsan inhibited the allergic reaction aggravated by COX inhibitor (indomethacin). Conclusion: Ginsan has anti-asthmatic effects, which seem to be partially mediated by enhancing the synthesis of COX gene products.

Protective Effect of Ginsan Against Vibrio vulnificus Infection

“…We have found that Ginsan, which have been popularly used in the oriental medicine, could provide protection against bacterial infection by modulating COX-1 expression. In our previous work with a murine asthma model, the suppressive effect of Ginsan was also mediated by modulating COX expression in the lung (13) which is consistent with our current finding. Further studies are required to determine the protein expression and its products including prostaglandins.…”

“…Also, Ginsan possesses a potent anti-septicemic activity (6,16). Furthermore, Ginsan can suppress the development of allergic reaction in an asthmatic model by modulating mucosal immune responses (13).…”

“…Recently, we have reported that Ginsan suppresses the development of allergic reaction in a murine asthmatic model by modulating COX (13).…”

Structure and biological activities of the polysaccharides from the leaves, roots and fruits of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer: An overview

“…Asthma treatment by corticosteroid frequently induced many side effects. For the purpose of finding a safe and high efficacy substitute, Lim et al (2009) evaluated the effect of ginsan against allergic reaction in an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced murine asthmatic model in comparison with dexamethasone, and investigated its underlying mechanism. To elucidate the mechanism of ginsan, expression of inflammation-related genes were screened.…”

Effects of Red Ginseng extract on allergic reactions to food in Balb/c mice

“…Red Ginseng root extracts have also been used for the treatment of atopic suppurative dermatitis, wounds, inflammation of the skin, and allergic diarrhea. There are reports that ginseng saponins and/or extracts have anti-allergic properties including effects on asthma and dermatitis Park et al, 2003Park et al, , 2004Shi et al, 2005;Bae et al, 2006;Shin et al, 2006a,b;Kim et al, 2008a,b;Bayayigit et al, 2008;Lim et al, 2009). Food allergies are common allergic diseases with a substantial risk of life-threatening anaphylactic reactions.…”