title: Protective effects of red ginseng extract against vaginal herpes simplex virus infection.
abstract: Numerous studies have suggested that Korean red ginseng (KRG) extract has various immune modulatory activities both in vivo and in vitro. In this study, we used a mouse model to examine the effects of orally administered KRG extract on immunity against herpes simplex virus (HSV). Balb/c mice were administered with 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg oral doses of KRG extract for 10 d and then vaginally infected with HSV. We found that KRG extract rendered recipients more resistant against HSV vaginal infection and further systemic infection, including decreased clinical severity, increased survival rate, and accelerated viral clearance. Such results appeared to be mediated by increased vaginal IFN-γ secretion. Moreover, increased mRNA expression of IFN-γ, granzyme B, and Fas-ligand was identified in the iliac lymph node and vaginal tracts of KRG extract treated groups (200 and 400 mg/kg). These results suggest that the activities of local natural killer cells were promoted by KRG extract consumption and that KRG may be an attractive immune stimulator for helping hosts overcome HSV infection.
authors.affiliation: Biosafety Research Institute and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju 561-756, Korea.
authors.forename: Ara
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Yoon Seok
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Roh
authors.forename: Erdenebileg
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Uyangaa
authors.forename: Surim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jong Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kyu Hee
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Jungkee
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Seong Kug
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Eo
authors.forename: Chae Woong
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Bumseok
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Herpes simplex virus; Korean red ginseng; Mice; Natural killer cells; Panax ginseng