title: Ginseng protects against respiratory syncytial virus by modulating multiple immune cells and inhibiting viral replication.
abstract: Ginseng has been used in humans for thousands of years but its effects on viral infection have not been well understood. We investigated the effects of red ginseng extract (RGE) on respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection using in vitro cell culture and in vivo mouse models. RGE partially protected human epithelial (HEp2) cells from RSV-induced cell death and viral replication. In addition, RGE significantly inhibited the production of RSV-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α) in murine dendritic and macrophage-like cells. More importantly, RGE intranasal pre-treatment prevented loss of mouse body weight after RSV infection. RGE treatment improved lung viral clearance and enhanced the production of interferon (IFN-γ) in bronchoalveolar lavage cells upon RSV infection of mice. Analysis of cellular phenotypes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids showed that RGE treatment increased the populations of CD8+ T cells and CD11c+ dendritic cells upon RSV infection of mice. Taken together, these results provide evidence that ginseng has protective effects against RSV infection through multiple mechanisms, which include improving cell survival, partial inhibition of viral replication and modulation of cytokine production and types of immune cells migrating into the lung.
authors: Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA. jongseoklee78@gmail.com.|National Institute of Biological Resources, Incheon 404-708, Korea. jongseoklee78@gmail.com.
authors: Jong Seok
authors: JS
authors: Lee
authors: Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA. leechard75@gmail.com.
authors: Yu-Na
authors: YN
authors: Lee
authors: Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA. leechard75@gmail.com.
authors: Young-Tae
authors: YT
authors: Lee
authors: Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA. hshwang33@gmail.com.
authors: Hye Suk
authors: HS
authors: Hwang
authors: Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA. kihyekim4282@gmail.com.
authors: Ki-Hye
authors: KH
authors: Kim
authors: Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA. ej.ko226@gmail.com.
authors: Eun-Ju
authors: EJ
authors: Ko
authors: Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA. mckim001@gmail.com.|Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, 175 Anyangro, Anyangsi, Gyeonggido 430-757, Korea. mckim001@gmail.com.
authors: Min-Chul
authors: MC
authors: Kim
authors: Center for Inflammation, Immunity & Infection, Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA. skang24@gsu.edu.
authors: Sang-Moo
authors: SM
authors: Kang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000382:microbiology; D039521:CD11c Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D002460:Cell Line; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000378:metabolism; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D005894:Panax; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D020545:Respiratory Mucosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000187:drug effects*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism; D019562:Viral Load / Q000187:drug effects; D014779:Virus Replication / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D039521:CD11c Antigen; D010936:Plant Extracts; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D007371:Interferon-gamma