title: Antiallergic activity of ginseng and its ginsenosides.
abstract: In this study, we measured the antiallergic activities of ginsenosides isolated from the root of Panax ginseng ( Araliaceae), and of their metabolites, as produced by human intestinal bacteria. Compound K, which was identified as a main metabolite, had the most potent inhibitory activity on beta-hexosaminidase release from RBL-2H3 cells and on the PCA reaction. The inhibitory activity of compound K was more potent than that of disodium cromoglycate, one of the commercial anti-allergic drugs. This compound demonstrated a membrane stabilizing action on differential scanning calorimetry. However, compound K did not inhibit the activation of hyaluronidase and did not scavenge active oxygen. These results suggest that the antiallergic action of compound K originates from its cell membrane stabilizing activity and that the ginsenosides of ginseng are prodrugs with extensive antiallergic properties. Abbreviations. compound K:20- O-beta- D-glucopyranosyl-20( S)-protopanaxadiol DNP:dinitrophenol DSCG:disodium cromoglycate DPPC:dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine DPPH:1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl HSA:human serum albumin IC 50 :50% inhibitory concentration EC 50 :50% effective concentration XOD:xanthine oxidase ICR:Institute of Cancer Research PBS:phosphate buffered saline PCA:passive cutaneous anaphylaxis RAW264.7:mouse monocyte leukemiaRBL-2H3: rat basophil leukemia SD:Sprague-Dawley
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Min-Kyung
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Choo
authors.forename: Eun-Kyung
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Myung Joo
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Dong-Hyun
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000517:prevention & control; D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line / Q000187:drug effects; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium / Q000494:pharmacology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006801:Humans; D020128:Inhibitory Concentration 50; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008813:Mice, Inbred ICR; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis; D005894:Panax; D008517:Phytotherapy; D018517:Plant Roots; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D036145:Ginsenosides; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D004205:Cromolyn Sodium