Ginsenoside-Ro enhances cell proliferation and modulates Th1/Th2 cytokines production in murine splenocytes.
OBJECTIVE
To study the effects of ginsenoside-Ro on cell proliferation and cytokine production in murine splenocytes.


METHODS
The effect of ginsenoside-Ro on murine splenocytes proliferation was studied using [3H] thymidine incorporation assay. Effects of ginsenoside-Ro on the production of cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) from murine splenocytes were detected by ELISA method. Effects of ginsenoside-Ro on mRNA level of Th1 cytokine IFN-gamma and Th2 cytokine IL-4 were evaluated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis.


RESULTS
Ginsenoside-Ro showed no mitogenic effect on unstimulated murine splenocytes. It enhanced the proliferation of Con A-induced murine splenocytes and the production of IL-2 at concentrations of 1-10 micromol x L(-1). Moreover, ginsenoside-Ro increased the production and expression of Th2 cytokine IL-4 and decreased the production and expression of Th1 cytokine IFN-gamma in Con A-induced murine splenocytes at concentrations of 2-10 micromol x L(-1).


CONCLUSIONS
Ginsenoside-Ro showed immunomodulatory effects by regulating the production and expression of Th1/Th2 cytokines in murine splenocytes.
Yu
Jun-li
JL
Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100050, China.
Dou
De-qiang
DQ
Chen
Xiao-hong
XH
Yang
Hong-zhen
HZ
Hu
Xiao-yan
XY
Cheng
Gui-fang
GF
D000818:Animals; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
D036145:Ginsenosides; D007376:Interleukin-2; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D015847:Interleukin-4; C064378:ginsenoside Ro; D007371:Interferon-gamma