Protopanaxatriol-Type Ginsenosides Differentially Modulate Type 1 and Type 2 Cytokines Production from Murine Splenocytes

Abstract

Seven protopanaxatriol-type ginsenosides and their aglycones including PPT, PT, -Re, -Rg₁, -F₁, -Rh₁, 20(R)-Rh₁ which are closely related in structure were studied for their effects on type 1 and type 2 cytokines production from murine splenocytes and their related mechanisms were examined. The results indicate that PPT, PT and ginsenoside-Re show hardly any or weak effects on concanavalin A (Con A)-induced production of IFN-γ and IL-4. Ginsenoside-Rh₁ and 20(R)-Rh₁ induce a Con A-induced type 1 cytokine pattern by increasing the production of interleukin-12 (IL-12), the expression of IFN-γ, T-bet and enhancing NF-κB DNA binding activity. In contrast ginsenosides-Rg₁ and -F₁ cause a Con A-induced type 2 cytokines response by increasing the expression of IL-4, GATA-3 and enhancing NF-κB DNA binding activity. Thus, these protopanaxatriol-type ginsenosides have different immunomodulatory effects, which might explain the complex immunomodulatory effect of Panax ginseng.

Key words

Ginsenosides - interferon-γ (IFN-γ) - interleukin-4 (IL-4) - t-box expressed in T cells (T-bet) - GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA-3) - splenocytes - Panax ginseng - Araliaceae

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