Ginsenoside-Rb2 and 20(S)-Ginsenoside-Rg3 from Korean Red Ginseng Prevent Rotavirus Infection in Newborn Mice

Abstract

It is well known that Korean red ginseng has various biological activities. However, there is little knowledge about the antiviral activity of Korean red ginseng and its ginsenosides. In this study, we addressed whether oral administration of ginsenoside-Rb2 and -Rg3 is able to protect against rotavirus (RV) infection. The protective effect of ginsenosides against RV infection was examined using an in vivo experiment model in which newborn mice (10-day-old) were inoculated perorally (p.o.) with 1.5 × 10 plaque-forming units/mouse of RV strain SA11. When various dosages of ginsenoside-Rb2 (25-250 mg/kg) were administered 3days, 2 days, or 1 day before virus challenge, treatment with this ginsenoside at the dosage of 75 mg/kg 3days before virus infection most effectively reduced RV-induced diarrhea. In addition, consecutive administration of ginsenoside-Rb2 (75 mg/kg) at 3 days, 2 days, and 1 day before virus infection was more effective than single administration on day -3. The consecutive administration of ginsenoside-Rb2 also reduced virus titers in the bowels of RV-infected mice. In an experiment to compare the protective activity between ginsenoside-Rb2 and its two hydrolytic products (20(S)- and 20(R)-ginsenoside-Rg3), 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3, but not 20(R)-ginsenoside-Rg3, prevented RV infection. These results suggest that ginsenoside-Rb2 and its hydrolytic product, 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3, are promising candidates as an antiviral agent to protect against RV infection.

Shenling Baizhu Powder Inhibits RV-SA11-Induced Inflammation and Rotavirus Enteritis via TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

“…Our data are in line with previous studies showing that the multiple active ingredients in SBP have antiviral properties. Ginsenoside-Rb2 and its hydrolysate 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 inhibited the growth of RV and had a protective effect on infected cells (Yang et al, 2018a). Glycyrrhizic acid and its primary metabolite 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid (GRA) are pharmacologically active compounds of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch, and both have antiviral and immunomodulatory properties.…”

Ginsenoside Rb2: A review of pharmacokinetics and pharmacological effects

“…The protective mechanism of Rb2 was involved in the enhancement of mucosal immunity and the suppression of HVJ virus growth in HVJ-infectious mice. In the newborn mice of rotavirus infection, prtreatment of Rb2 reduced virus titers and RV-induced diarrhea in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner [ 66 ]. These results meant that Rb2 was a promising candidate as an antiviral reagent to prevent infection.…”

Medicinal plants with anti-mutagenic potential

“…Interestingly, the Korean red ginseng is chemically processed in such a way that its chemical composition is transformed and its biological properties are altered according to the need [78]. Ginseng alkaloids and saponins prevent the metastasis and growth of lung cancer by preventing the encroachment and bonding of tumour cells with each other and with the neighbour cells [79,80]. Red ginseng is capable of preventing the metastasis of a tumour by restricting the activities of tumour cells and increasing their lysosomal vulnerability [81,82].…”