Effects of Red Ginseng extract on allergic reactions to food in Balb/c mice.
OBJECTIVE
Red Ginseng roots (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) have traditionally been thought to have anti-allergic effects, but their influence on food-induced allergic responses is unclear.


METHODS
This study examined the effects of a Red Ginseng extract on an ova-albumin (OVA)-evoked allergic reaction in mice.


CONCLUSIONS
The orally administered extract significantly inhibited the increase in OVA-specific IgG(1) (Th(2)) levels in OVA-sensitized mice, but had no effect on OVA-specific IgE (Th(2)) levels. The extract prevented a reduction in IL-12 production and the ratio of IFN-γ (Th(1)) to IL-4 (Th(2)) in splenocytes, and enhanced small intestinal CD8-, IFN-γ-, and IgA-positive cell numbers in the OVA-sensitized mice. These findings suggest that Red Ginseng inhibits allergic reactions to food by preventing reductions in the ratio of IFN-γ to IL-4 and in IL-12 production induced by dietary antigens in spleen cells, and/or increasing the expression of CD8 and IFN-γ in the small intestine. It may also protect against sensitization to antigens as an immunomodulator by increasing intestinal IgA secretion without affecting antigen-specific IgE levels. In conclusion, Red Ginseng roots may be a natural preventative of food allergies.
Sumiyoshi
Maho
M
Division of Functional Histology, Department of Functional Biomedicine, Ehime University Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa, Toon City, Ehime 791-0295, Japan.
Sakanaka
Masahiro
M
Kimura
Yoshiyuki
Y
D000818:Animals; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007136:Immunoglobulins / Q000097:blood; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000276:immunology; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000276:immunology; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000737:chemistry; D013154:Spleen / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D007136:Immunoglobulins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D018664:Interleukin-12; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D010047:Ovalbumin