title: Molecular mechanism of protopanaxadiol saponin fraction-mediated anti-inflammatory actions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is a representative traditional herbal medicine with many different pharmacological properties including anticancer, anti-atherosclerosis, anti-diabetes, and anti-inflammatory activities. Only a few studies have explored the molecular mechanism of KRG-mediated anti-inflammatory activity.
  
  
  METHODS
  We investigated the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of the protopanaxadiol saponin fraction (PPD-SF) of KRG using in vitro and in vivo inflammatory models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PPD-SF dose-dependently diminished the release of inflammatory mediators [nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α, and prostaglandin E2], and downregulated the mRNA expression of their corresponding genes (inducible NO synthase, tumor necrosis factor-α, and cyclooxygenase-2), without altering cell viability. The PPD-SF-mediated suppression of these events appeared to be regulated by a blockade of p38, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and TANK (TRAF family member-associated NF-kappa-B activator)-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), which are linked to the activation of activating transcription factor 2 (ATF2) and interferon regulatory transcription factor 3 (IRF3). Moreover, this fraction also ameliorated HCl/ethanol/-induced gastritis via suppression of phospho-JNK2 levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results strongly suggest that the anti-inflammatory action of PPD-SF could be mediated by a reduction in the activation of p38-, JNK2-, and TANK-binding-kinase-1-linked pathways and their corresponding transcription factors (ATF2 and IRF3).
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetic Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Yanyan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatological Health Management, Eulji University, Seongnam, Korea.
authors.forename: Jongsung
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.
authors.forename: Man Hee
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetic Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetic Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Kwang-Soo
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetic Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Nak Yoon
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetic Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetic Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Keejung
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetic Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Ji Hye
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Ginseng Corporation Central Research Institute, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Yi-Seong
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kwak
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetic Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Sungyoul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Biosafety Research Institute, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Korea.
authors.forename: Jong-Hoon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetic Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Youl
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Cho
keywords: Korean red ginseng; activating transcription factor 2; anti-inflammatory activity; interferon regulatory transcription factor 3; protopanaxadiol saponin fraction