Immunomodulatory effects of Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer in the mouse

Abstract

An aqueous extract of Panax Ginseng C.A. Meyer (G.S.) was prepared by boiling crushed G.S. roots in water. The extract obtained was adjusted to 125 mg G.S. per ml and was administered orally to mice for 5 to 6 days at the daily dose of 10, 50 and 250 mg G.S. per kg or was added to cultures of mouse spleen cells at concentrations varying between 0.25 and 8 mg G.S. per ml. The average total ginsenoside content of the G.S. roots used was determined by HPLC analysis and found to be 0.58% (w/w). Treated mice responded with enhanced antibody formation to either a primary or a secondary challenge with sheep red cells. The effects were dose-dependent. At the highest dose regimen, the primary IgM response was increased by 50% and the secondary IgG and IgM responses were increased by 50 and 100%, respectively. An even more pronounced effect was obtained with natural killer cell activity which was enhanced between 44 and 150% depending on the effector-to-target cell ratios used in the assay. In vitro, G.S. showed two main effects, an inhibition of stimulated and spontaneous lymphocyte proliferation at high, but not cytotoxic concentrations and an enhancement of interferon production particularly in non-stimulated spleen cells. The immunostimulating effects obtained in vivo are in agreement with the stimulation of interferon production observed in vitro. The inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation, however, cannot be reconciled with the immunostimulatory action of G.S. observed in vivo.

Adjuvant effects of saponins on animal immune responses

“…Saponins reportedly induce production of cytokines such as interleukins and interferons that might mediate their immunostimulant effects (Jie et al, 1984;Kensil, 1996). It is likely that they interact with antigenpresenting cells to induce many of these responses (Barr et al, 1998).…”

“…Ginsenoside Rg1 has been found to increase the lymphocyte proliferative responses to mitogenic stimulation and IL-2 production in aged rats but not in young rats (Liu and Zhang, 1995; and human . Ginseng extract has also been reported to enhance, specific antibody response against diphtheric toxoids in mice (Yang et al, 1983); increase IgG and IgM antibody responses in mice immunized with sheep red blood cells and oral administration of ginseng extract at the same time (Jie et al, 1984). Sun et al(2006a) reported the ovalbumin (OVA) specific IgG, IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b antibody levels in serum were significantly enhanced by seven PTS from the root of Panax notoginseng compared with OVA control group (P<0.01 or P<0.001).…”

Metabolism of Ginsenosides to Bioactive Compounds by Intestinal Microflora and Its Industrial Application

“…120) This fraction activates macrophages against Candida albicans 121 , potentiates anti-complement activity, 122) induces IFN-γ and TNF-α production in lymphocytes and peritoneal macrophages, 123,124) stimulates phagocytosis in polymorphonuclear leukocytes, 125) stimulates natural killer-cell activity 126) and activates compo-nents of cell-mediated immunity 127) including interleukin-2 (IL-2) expression. 128) Of polysaccharides from Panax ginseng, acidic polysaccharides (Ginsan) induce expression of mRNA for IL-2, IFN-γ, IL-1, and GM-CSF, as well as lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells and CD8+T cells.…”

The Effect of Antibiofin® on the Immune Response Against Avian Influenza Subtype H9N2 Vaccine in Broiler Chickens

“…18 In some studies, they induced the production of cytokines such as interferons and interleukins. 19,20 The immunostimulant activity of saponins may be based on aldehyde groups or branched sugar chains 21 or an acyl residue bearing the aglycone. 20 The immunomodulatory effects of herbal plant polysaccharides have also been widely studied.…”