Asian and Siberian ginseng as a potential modulator of immune function: an in vitro cytokine study using mouse macrophages.
BACKGROUND
Ginseng is a widely used herbal product in China, other Asian countries, and in the Unites States. There is a traditional belief that ginseng stimulates immune functions. In this study, the innate effects of Asian and Siberian ginsengs on cytokines and chemokines produced by cultured macrophages were examined.


METHODS
The effects of Asian and Siberian ginseng on cytokines and chemokines produced by cultured macrophages were examined. Mouse macrophages (J774A.1) were incubated with Asian or Siberian ginseng at varying concentrations (1, 10, 100, and 1000 microg/ml) for 24 h and then harvested for RNA isolation. The expression levels of IL-1beta, IL-12, TNF-alpha, MIP-1 alpha, and MIP-2 mRNA were measured by quantitative PCR.


RESULTS
Our data showed that Asian ginseng induced a statistically significant increase in IL-12 expression at both mRNA and protein levels. However, the minor twofold increase is probably biologically insignificant. No significant increase of IL-12 by Siberian ginseng was observed at any dose level studied. No significant change in IL-1beta, IL-15, TNF-alpha, or MIP-1alpha mRNA was observed by either Asian or Siberian ginseng treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data showed statistically significant differential regulation of IL-12 by Asian ginseng. Siberian ginseng did not show a statistically significant increase. We conclude that both Asian ginseng and Siberian ginseng cannot significantly stimulate innate macrophage immune functions that influence cellular immune responses. Therefore, contrary to the popular belief, Asian and Siberian ginseng may not stimulate immune function.
Wang
Huamin
H
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Health Science Center, University of Texas-Houston Medical School, 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Actor
Jeffrey K
JK
Indrigo
Jessica
J
Olsen
Margaret
M
Dasgupta
Amitava
A
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D018925:Chemokines / Q000235:genetics; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000187:drug effects*; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000235:genetics; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D005894:Panax / Q000276:immunology*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D018925:Chemokines; D016207:Cytokines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018664:Interleukin-12