Planta Med 2001; 67(3): 213-218
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-12005
Original Paper
Pharmacology
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

In Vitro Inhibitory Effect of Protopanaxadiol Ginsenosides on Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF)-α Production and its Modulation by Known TNF-α Antagonists

Jae Youl Cho1,*, Eun Sook Yoo1 , Kyong Up Baik1 , Myung Hwan Park1 , Byung Hoon Han2
  • 1 Department of Immunopharmacology, R & D Center, Daewoong Pharmaceutical Co, Sungnam, Korea
  • 2 Natural Products Research Institute, College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
Further Information

Publication History

April 18, 2000

August 9, 2000

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

Abstract

Ginsenosides are the major principles of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae) used as a mild oriental folk medicine. In this report, we have examined the inhibitory potency of protopanaxadiol ginsenosides (PPDGs) such as Rb1, Rb2 and Rc, and their co-treatment effect with known tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α antagonists on TNF-α production in either murine (RAW264.7) or human (U937) macrophages stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Rb1, and Rb2 strongly suppressed TNF-α production in RAW264.7 cells with an IC50 of 56.5 and 27.5 μM, respectively, and in differentiated U937 cells with an IC50 of 51.3, and 26.8 μM, respectively. The inhibitory activity of Rb1 and Rb2 was significantly increased by pharmacological agents against protein kinase C, protein tyrosine kinase, and protein kinase A, and anti-rheumatoid arthritis drugs, such as chloroquine and steroid drugs. In contrast, only cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase (cAMP PDE) inhibitors among cAMP-elevating agents did not change the inhibitory potency of PPDGs. These data suggest that PPDGs may possess potential therapeutic efficacy against TNF-α mediated disease and the therapeutic potency of PPDGs may be enhanced when co-treated with various kinds of known TNF-α antagonists but not with cAMP PDE inhibitors.

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Jae Youl Cho

Department of Immunology

Windeyer Institute of Medical Sciences

University College London Medical School

46 Cleveland street

London, W1P 6DB

UK

Email: jae.cho@ucl.ac.uk

Fax: +44-207-679-9357