Abstract
BackgroundImmuno-modulatory effects of ginseng, including both immuno-stimulatory and immuno-suppressive effects, have been widely reported. This study aims to determine whether the paradoxical immuno-modulatory effect is related to unique phytochemical profiles of different North American (NA) ginseng, namely aqueous (AQ) and alcoholic (ALC) extracts.MethodsAQ and ALC extracts were prepared and their immuno-bioactivity were studied in vitro in murine macrophages (Raw 264.7) through measuring the direct stimulatory production of pro-inflammatory mediator and cytokines as well as the suppression of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulatory response by the two extracts. Gel permeation chromatography was used to fractionate and isolate phytochemicals for characterization of ginseng extracts.ResultsAQ extract up-regulated the production of nitric oxide (NO), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) while ALC extract did not. ALC extract but not AQ extract suppressed LPS-induced macrophage NO and TNF-α production. These immuno-stimulatory and suppressive effects were exhibited at similar extract concentrations. Moreover, the macrophage-stimulating activity of the AQ extract was inhibited in the presence of ALC extract. Fractionation of AQ extract revealed the presence of two major peaks at 230 nm with average molecular weights of 73,000 and 37,000 Da. The first fraction had similar elution volume as the crude polysaccharide (PS) fraction isolated from the AQ extract, and it was the only bioactive species. Parallel fractionation study of ALC extract yielded similar elution profiles; however, both sub-fractions were devoid of PS. Fraction I of the ALC extract suppressed LPS-induced NO production dose-dependently.ConclusionALC extract of NA ginseng, which was devoid of PS, was immuno-inhibitory whereas the AQ extract, which contained PS, was immuno-stimulatory. These extract-related anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory effects may be considered as the Yin and Yang actions of ginseng.
Highlights
Immuno-modulatory effects of ginseng, including both immuno-stimulatory and immunosuppressive effects, have been widely reported
Rb1 and Re were the two most predominant ginsenosides in both extracts but the Rb1/Re ratio was higher in the ALC extract, namely 1.8 vs. 1.1
Immuno-stimulatory effect of the AQ and ALC ginseng extracts in macrophages in vitro Evaluation of the immuno-stimulatory effect of the ginseng extracts on RAW 264.7 murine macrophages revealed that exposure to 20-200 μg/mL of AQ extract significantly up-regulated macrophage production of nitric oxide (NO), tumour necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) and IL-6 compared to untreated control in a concentration-dependent manner (Figure 1)
Summary
Immuno-modulatory effects of ginseng, including both immuno-stimulatory and immunosuppressive effects, have been widely reported. Ginseng is a perennial herb of the Araliaceae family. While Asian ginseng has been used for thousands of years as tonic to improve overall health, restore the body to balance, help the body to heal itself and reduce stress [1], the medicinal use of NA ginseng traces back about 400 years ago. Recognized by the Canadian regulatory agency as a natural health product for use as an adaptogen (biological response modifier) [4], NA ginseng is a multiaction herb with a wide range of pharmacological effects on the central nervous system, cardiovascular system and endocrine secretion, reproductive and immune function [5]
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