Abstract
This study investigates the in vivo functions of ginseng berry extract (GB) as a therapy for dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis. C57BL/6 mice were given drinking water containing DSS (3%) for eight days to induce acute colitis. At the same time, the mice received an oral dose of GB (50 mg/kg) once daily. The GB-treated mice were less susceptible to the development of acute colitis than were control mice treated with saline, as determined by weight loss, disease activity, and colon histology. The administration of GB to DSS-treated mice also reduced the numbers and inhibited the activation of colon-infiltrating T cells, neutrophils, intestinal CD103−CD11c+ dendritic cells (cDCs), and macrophages. In addition, GB treatment promoted the migration of CD103+CD11c+ cDCs and expansion of Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in the colons of DSS-treated mice. Similarly, in the DSS-induced chronic colitis model, GB treatment improved the macroscopic and histological appearance of the colon wall when compared to untreated control mice, as indicated by longer colon length and lower histological scores. This is the first report to show that oral administration of GB suppresses immune activation and protects against experimentally induced colitis.
Highlights
Ginseng root has been used in Asian countries as a traditional medicine for various diseases, such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, and atherosclerosis [1]
We investigated the effect of Ginseng berry extract (GB) on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced acute and chronic colitis models and tested the hypothesis that GB has anti-inflammatory and immune-suppressing effects that protect against these diseases
The amounts of Fe, Zn, Vit., niacin, and pantothenic acid were five- to ten-fold higher in GB than in ginseng root extract (GR)
Summary
Ginseng root has been used in Asian countries as a traditional medicine for various diseases, such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, and atherosclerosis [1]. Previous reports have shown that ginseng root extract (GR) has strong anti-inflammatory properties [2,3] and can attenuate dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis and colon cancer in mice [4]. Ginseng berry extract (GB) shows similar anti-inflammatory effects and can ameliorate streptozotocin-induced diabetes in mice [5]. GB shows a greater potency than GR in inducing anti-hyperglycemic activities [8] and relaxation effects on the penile corpus cavernosum smooth muscle [7]. The in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of GB, and especially on DSS-induced colitis, have not been investigated or compared to the effects of GR
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