Korean red ginseng saponin fraction rich in ginsenoside-Rb1, Rc and Rb2 attenuates the severity of mouse collagen-induced arthritis.
Despite a multitude of reports on anti-inflammatory properties of ginseng extracts or individual ginsenosides, data on antiarthritic effect of ginseng saponin preparation with mixed ginsenosides is limited. On the other hand, a combined therapy of safe and inexpensive plant-derived natural products such as ginsenosides can be considered as an alternative to treat arthritis. Our previous in vitro data displayed a strong anti-inflammatory action of red ginseng saponin fraction-A (RGSF-A). We, herein, report a marked antiarthritic property of RGSF-A rich in ginsenoside Rb1, Rc, and Rb2. Collagen-induced arthritic (CIA) mice were treated with RGSF-A or methotrexate (MTX) for 5 weeks. Joint pathology, serum antibody production and leukocye activation, cytokine production in the circulation, lymph nodes, and joints were examined. RGSF-A markedly reduced severity of arthritis, cellular infiltration, and cartilage damage. It suppressed CD3(+)/CD69(+), CD4(+)/CD25(+), CD8(+) T-cell, CD19(+), B220/CD23(+) B-cell, MHCII(+)/CD11c(+), and Gr-1(+)/CD11b(+) cell activations. It further suppressed anti-CII- or anti-RF-IgG/IgM, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-17, and IL-6 secretions but stimulated IL-10 levels in the serum, joint, or splenocyte. RGSF-A attenuated arthritis severity, modified leukocyte activations, and restored cytokine imbalances, suggesting that it can be considered as an antiarthritic agent with the capacity to ameliorate the immune and inflammatory responses in CIA mice.
Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology and Cell Signaling, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, Republic of Korea ; Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45219, USA.
Mehari
M
Endale
Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology and Cell Signaling, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, Republic of Korea.
Eun Ju
EJ
Im
Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology and Cell Signaling, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, Republic of Korea.
Joo Young
JY
Lee
Research Center, Dongnam Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Busan 619-953, Republic of Korea.
Sung Dae
SD
Kim
Debre Markos University, Debre Markos, Ethiopia.
Taddesse
0000-0001-9412-5995
T
Yayeh
Ginseng Corporation Central Research Institute, Daejeon 305-805, Republic of Korea.
Yong-Bum
YB
Song
Ginseng Corporation Central Research Institute, Daejeon 305-805, Republic of Korea.
Yi-Seong
YS
Kwak
Department of Pharmacology, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon 400-712, Republic of Korea.
Chaekyun
C
Kim
Institute of Traditional Medicine & Bioscience, Daejeon University, Daejeon 300-716, Republic of Korea.
Seung-Hyung
SH
Kim
Department of Herbology, College of Korean Medicine, Daegu Hanny University, Gyeongsan 712-715, Republic of Korea.
Seong-Soo
SS
Roh
Department of Genetic Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon 440-746, Republic of Korea.
Jae Youl
0000-0001-8141-9927
JY
Cho
Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology and Cell Signaling, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 702-701, Republic of Korea.
Man Hee
MH
Rhee
D000818:Animals; D001169:Arthritis, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000737:chemistry*; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000097:blood; D020381:Interleukin-17 / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012503:Saponins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood
D036145:Ginsenosides; D020381:Interleukin-17; D015850:Interleukin-6; D010936:Plant Extracts; D012503:Saponins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; C044462:ginsenoside Rc; D016753:Interleukin-10; C442759:ginsenoside Rb1