title: Dual functions of ginsenosides in protecting human endothelial cells against influenza H9N2-induced inflammation and apoptosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Panax ginseng is a precious traditional Chinese herbal medicine which has been utilized as herbal tonic for improving immunity. The active component, ginsenosides have been shown to possess various pharmacological functions including immunomodulation and cardiovascular protection.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the immunomodulatory effect and anti-apoptotic effect of ginsenosides on avian influenza-infected human endothelial cells, and to present evidence for the cardiovascular protection by ginseng during influenza infection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were infected with avian influenza H9N2/G1 to induce IP-10 production and cell death, cells were then incubated with ginsenosides PPT and Re. The level of IP-10 and microRNA was determined by ELISA and real-time PCR respectively. Cell death was determined by MTT, TUNEL and flow cytometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ginsenoside metabolite protopanaxatriol showed significant suppression effect on IP-10 production upon H9N2/G1 infection through up-regulation of miR-15b expression. In addition, ginsenoside-induced cytoprotection was reflected in the increase of cell viability. Data from flow cytometry analysis and TUNEL assay also showed that ginsenoside Re could protect ECs from H9N2/G1-induced apoptosis and DNA damage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This report further supports the traditional belief for immunomodulatory effects of ginseng, also demonstrated the partial protective mechanism of ginsenosides on avian influenza infection and its related endothelial dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong SAR, China.
authors.forename: Lok Yung
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Hoi Hin
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Kwok
authors.forename: Renee Wan Yi
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Malik Joseph Sriyal
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Peiris
authors.forename: Nai Ki
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.forename: Ricky Ngok Shun
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Michael Chi Wai
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Patrick Ying Kit
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Yue
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D054357:Chemokine CXCL10 / Q000378:metabolism*; D019610:Cytoprotection; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D061307:Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000378:metabolism*; D053127:Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012502:Sapogenins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: C114753:CXCL10 protein, human; D054357:Chemokine CXCL10; D036145:Ginsenosides; D007155:Immunologic Factors; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; C505361:MIRN15 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs; D012502:Sapogenins; C507965:ginsenoside 20S-protopanaxatriol; C049864:ginsenoside Re