A Comparative Study of the Effects of Whole Red Ginseng Extract and Polysaccharide and Saponin Fractions on Influenza A (H1N1) Virus Infection

Abstract

Total extracts of ginseng (the root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) and saponin and polysaccharide fractions have been the main products used to investigate novel effects of ginseng over the last five decades. However, the differences if any between the pharmacological effects of total extract and saponin and polysaccharide fractions are largely unknown. In this study, we compared their effects on influenza A virus infection. Mice received total extract of Korean red ginseng (RG), and polysaccharide and saponin fractions of Korean RG, orally for 14 d prior to influenza A virus infection. Seventy eight percent of mice infected with 2× the 50% lethal dose (LD 50 ) of virus survived when administered the polysaccharide fraction, compared to 67%, 56% and 17% when administered total extract, saponin fraction and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), respectively. Moreover, body weight loss in mice given the polysaccharide fraction was significantly reduced while there was mild reduction in body weight loss in that receiving saponin fraction or total extract when mice were infected with 0.2× or 0.5×LD 50 of virus. We also confirmed that the polysaccharide fraction was most effective in reducing the accumulation of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)/inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-producing dendritic cells (tipDCs) in the mouse lungs. Our results indicate that the polysaccharides of RG have a pronounced beneficial effect on the symptoms of influenza virus infection.Key words red ginseng; polysaccharide; saponin; influenza virus; tumor necrosis factor alpha/inducible nitric oxide synthase-producing dendritic cell Ginseng (the root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) is a novel pharmacological agent which has been used as a traditional medicine in Asia. Red ginseng (RG) is Panax ginseng that has been boiled in water, and crushed and dried, and is one of the most widely used forms of ginseng.

Ameliorating Effect of Dietary Xylitol on Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (hRSV) Infection

“…25) Not only dietary RG extract but also components of the extract such as polysaccharides and saponin have been reported to increase protection against influenza A virus infection. 26) Moreover, dietary wRG along with xylitol appeared to have a greater protective effect against influenza virus infection than either component alone. 17) Hence the dietary effects of wRG and mixtures of xylitol and wRG were also investigated.…”

Protective Effect of Dietary Xylitol on Influenza A Virus Infection

“…We found no ameliorating effect when xylitol or RGs were administered separately, only when they were given together for 5 days. Since a 14 day-regimen is required for RGs on their own to exert a protective effect on influenza virus infection [11], [12] our results show that the treatment period can be markedly reduced if xylitol is administered along with RGs.…”

“…Previous studies have suggested that components of ginseng can act as inhibitors of influenza virus [10], [11]. We also found that the Korean red ginseng (RG) polysaccharide, saponin, and total extract were effective in reducing flu symptoms when orally administered to mice for 14 days prior to infection [12]. However, the RG extracts were not effective when given for only 5 days.…”

“…Numerous studies have shown that RGs have immunomodulatory effects [22]–[26]. Moreover, we found previously that dietary RGs given for 14 days prior to influenza virus infection reduced influenza-induced symptoms by acting on dendritic cells (tipDCs) producing tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)/inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the lungs [12]. In this study, similarly, dietary xylitol with water soluble fraction was confirmed to reduce the level of tipDC in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid following 2X LD 50 of influenza virus challenge (Fig.…”

“…Whole extract, polysaccharide and saponin of RG were prepared as described previously [12]. To obtain total RG, total extract and RG fractions, four-year-old RG was disrupted with a crusher.…”