Korean Red Ginseng saponin fraction modulates radiation effects on lipopolysaccharide-stimulated nitric oxide production in RAW264.7 macrophage cells.
BACKGROUND
In previous work, we reported that Korean Red Ginseng saponin fraction (RGSF) showed anti-inflammatory activities in vitro and in vivo.


METHODS
The present study investigated the radioprotective properties of RGSF by examining its effects on ionizing radiation (IR)-enhanced and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-mediated inflammatory responses in murine macrophage cells.


RESULTS
RGSF induced strong downregulation of IR-enhanced and LPS-induced proinflammatory responses such as nitric oxide (NO) production (Inhibitory Concentration 50 (IC50) = 5.1 ± 0.8 μM) and interleukin-1β levels. RGSF was found to exert its radioprotective effects by inhibition of a signaling cascade that activated checkpoint kinase 2-nuclear factor-κB. In addition, RGSF strongly inhibited IR-enhanced LPS-induced expression of hemoxyganase-1, implying that the latter may be a potential target of RGSF.


CONCLUSIONS
Taken together, our data suggest that RGSF can be considered and developed for use as an effective radioprotective agent with minimal adverse effects.
Research Center, Dongnam Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Busan, Korea.
Young Ji
YJ
Lee
Research Center, Dongnam Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Busan, Korea.
Jeong Yoon
JY
Han
Research Center, Dongnam Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Busan, Korea.
Chang Geun
CG
Lee
Research Center, Dongnam Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Busan, Korea.
Kyu
K
Heo
Cardiovascular Product Evaluation Center, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
Se Il
SI
Park
Research Center, Dongnam Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Busan, Korea.
Yoo Soo
YS
Park
Research Center, Dongnam Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Busan, Korea.
Joong Sun
JS
Kim
Research Center, Dongnam Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Busan, Korea.
Kwang Mo
KM
Yang
Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology and Cell Signaling, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.
Ki-Ja
KJ
Lee
Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology and Cell Signaling, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.
Tae-Hwan
TH
Kim
Laboratory of Veterinary Physiology and Cell Signaling, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.
Man Hee
MH
Rhee
Research Center, Dongnam Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Busan, Korea.
Sung Dae
SD
Kim
20(S)-protopanaxadiol saponins; Panax ginseng; ionizing radiation; macrophages