title: Anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitory properties of 20(R)-ginsenoside Rh2 in cultured macrophages and keratinocytes.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This work aimed to assess the matrix metalloproteinase inhibitory and related pharmacological actions of 20(R)-ginsenoside Rh2 (20(R)-Rh2) in cultured macrophages and keratinocytes.
  
  
  METHODS
  In-vitro anti-inflammatory activity of 20(R)-Rh2 was evaluated by analysing nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) contents in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Its antioxidant activity was determined by measuring the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the macrophage and keratinocyte cells. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and -2 (MMP-2) activity in the culture medium was detected using zymography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  20(R)-Rh2 was able to suppress NO, PGE2, ROS and pro-matrix metalloproteinase-9 (pro-MMP-9) levels that were enhanced in the LPS-stimulated murine RAW264.7 macrophage cells. 20(R)-Rh2 also exhibited inhibitory effects on the level of ROS and the activity of MMP-9 and -2 in human HaCat keratinocyte cells without stimulant exposure. 20(R)-Rh2 could suppress the gelatinolytic activity of MMP-9 enhanced by tumour necrosis factor-α in the keratinocytes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  20(R)-Rh2, a minor stereoisomer of ginsenoside Rh2, possesses matrix metalloproteinase inhibitory, anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Woo-Yong
authors.initials: WY
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Hye-Won
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Chang-Jin
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Lim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002460:Cell Line; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000378:metabolism; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000494:pharmacology; D008264:Macrophages / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051379:Mice; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000975:Antioxidants; D036145:Ginsenosides; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D061965:Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D009569:Nitric Oxide; C055305:ginsenoside Rh2; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D015232:Dinoprostone