Planta Med 2005; 71(3): 202-207
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-837817
Original Paper
Pharmacology
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

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

Jun-Li Yu1 , De-Qiang Dou2 , Xiao-Hong Chen1 , Hong-Zhen Yang1 , Na Guo2 , Gui-Fang Cheng1
  • 1Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, P. R. China
  • 2Department of Natural Products Chemistry, Shenyang Pharmaceutical University, Shenyang, P. R. China
Further Information

Publication History

Received: May 30, 2004

Accepted: October 30, 2004

Publication Date:
15 March 2005 (online)

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.

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Gui-Fang Cheng

Department of Pharmacology

Institute of Materia Medica

Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College

1 Xian Nong Tan Street

Xuan Wu District

100050, Beijing

People′s Republic of China

Phone: +86-10-6316-5192

Fax: +86-10-6301-7757

Email: chenggf@imm.ac.cn