Biological Effects of Korean Red Ginseng Polysaccharides in Aged Rat Using Global Proteomic Approach

Abstract

<jats:p>Much has been written on the physiological benefits of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG). Among its various components, ginsenosides have been widely investigated for their various pharmacological effects. However, polysaccharides are a major KRG component that has not received scrutiny similar to that of ginsenosides. The present study aims to fill that gap in the existing literature and to investigate the possible functions of polysaccharide in KRG. The researchers evaluated proteomic changes in non-saponin fractions with rich polysaccharides (NFP) in KRG. Based on the serum analysis, proteomics analysis of the liver and the spleen was additionally conducted to identify related functions. We validated the suggested functions of NFP with the galactosamine-induced liver injury model and the cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression model. Then, we evaluated the antimetastatic potential of NFP in the lungs. Further proteomics analysis of the spleen and liver after ingestion confirmed functions related to immunity, cancer, hepatoprotection, and others. Then, we validated the suggested corresponding functions of the NFP in vivo model. NFP showed immune-enhancing effects, inhibited melanoma cell metastasis in the lung, and decreased liver damage. The results show that using the proteomic approach uncovers the potential effects of polysaccharides in KRG, which include enhancing the immune system and protecting the liver.</jats:p>

Immune Activity of Polysaccharide Fractions Isolated from Korean Red Ginseng

“…Here, RGAP groups showed significantly increased AFCs in all groups dose dependently compared to the immunosuppressed CY control. Lee et al [ 43 ] studied KRG polysaccharides’ immune effects, and their results showed increased AFCs compared to the negative control. The present study shows that phagocytosis activity significantly increased compared to the CY control in all doses of RGAP groups.…”

Ginseng polysaccharides: Potential antitumor agents

“…Relative to the cyclophosphamide model group, the cytotoxicity and proportion of NK cells in the whole blood, and the levels of expression of perforin and granzyme in the NK cells in the Cy + low-dose GP and Cy + high-dose GP groups enhance significantly [ 44 ]. The non-saponin fractions with rich polysaccharides of red ginseng also show immune-promoting activity, which in turn increases plasma cell count in the spleen and inhibits the melanoma lung metastases in rats [ 45 ]. In combination with the αPD-1 monoclonal antibody (mAb) (250μg/mouse), GPs significantly increase the ratio of CD8+/CD4+ T cells in the spleen, blood, and tumor tissues of mice, along with an increase in the production of functional cytokines, including IFN-γ, TNF-α, and GZMB.…”

Comparisons of Isolation Methods, Structural Features, and Bioactivities of the Polysaccharides from Three Common Panax Species: A Review of Recent Progress

“…Similarly, NFP, which is a polysaccharide from Korean red ginseng, inhibited melanoma cell metastasis to the lung, which may have resulted due to its immunity-enhancing effect [ 91 ]. Furthermore, a polysaccharide from ginseng leaves, GS-P, promoted macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells to exhibit anti-metastatic activity against colon cancer [ 92 ].…”