title: American ginseng significantly reduced the progression of high-fat-diet-enhanced colon carcinogenesis in Apc (Min/+) mice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Chronic gut inflammation is recognized as a risk factor for tumor development, including CRC. American ginseng is a very commonly used ginseng species in the West.
  
  
  METHODS
  A genetically engineered Apc (Min/+) mouse model was used in this study. We analyzed the saponin composition of American ginseng used in this project, and evaluated its effects on the progression of high-fat-diet-enhanced CRC carcinogenesis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After oral ginseng administration (10-20 mg/kg/d for up to 32 wk), experimental data showed that, compared with the untreated mice, ginseng very significantly reduced tumor initiation and progression in both the small intestine (including the proximal end, middle end, and distal end) and the colon (all p < 0.01). This tumor number reduction was more obvious in those mice treated with a low dose of ginseng. The tumor multiplicity data were supported by body weight changes and gut tissue histology examinations. In addition, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that compared with the untreated group, ginseng very significantly reduced the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in both the small intestine and the colon (all p < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further studies are needed to link our observed effects to the actions of the gut microbiome in converting the parent ginsenosides to bioactive ginseng metabolites. Our data suggest that American ginseng may have potential value in CRC chemoprevention.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Science and Chemical Engineering, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Jiangsu, China ; Jiangsu Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Conversion and Process Integration, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Jiangsu, China ; Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA ; Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Chunhao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA ; Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Xiao-Dong
authors.initials: XD
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.affiliation: Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA ; Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Zhiyu
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA ; Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Chun-Feng
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA ; Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Xiaohui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA ; Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA ; Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liao
authors.affiliation: Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA ; Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Ningning
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA ; Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Chong-Zhi
authors.initials: CZ
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA ; Ben May Department for Cancer Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Du
authors.affiliation: Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA ; Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Department of Surgery, University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Tong-Chuan
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA ; Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA ; Committee on Clinical Pharmacology and Pharmacogenomics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
authors.forename: Chun-Su
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Yuan
keywords: ApcMin/+mice; Panax quinquefolius L.; colorectal cancer; ginsenoside metabolites; inflammatory cytokines