Ginsenosides from Korean red ginseng modulate T cell function via the regulation of NF-AT-mediated IL-2 production

• Published in: Food science and biotechnology 2019, 28(1), , pp.237-242
• Main Authors: Vinh, Le Ba, Park, Jung Up, Duy, Le Xuan, Nguyet, Nguyen Thi Minh, Yang, Seo Young, Kim, Young Ran, Kim, Young Ho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetic acid; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Food Science; Gene regulation; Ginseng; Ginsenosides; Growth factors; Immunomodulation; Interleukin 2; Ionomycin; Lymphocytes; Natural & organic foods; NF-AT protein; Nutrition; Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate; Transcription factors; 식품과학
• ISSN: 1226-7708; 2092-6456
• DOI: 10.1007/s10068-018-0428-8

Korean red ginseng is a traditional health food frequently used to prevent or treat various diseases worldwide. In this study, we evaluated the immunomodulatory activities of eleven compounds ( 1–11 ) isolated from Korean red ginseng, focusing on T cell function. First, the effects of the eleven compounds were studied on the regulation of IL-2, a potent T cell growth factor. Compounds 5 , 7 , and 9 significantly increased IL-2 secretion in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)/ionomycin (Io)-induced EL-4 T cells. Next, we examined the effects of compounds 5 , 7 , and 9 on the regulation of transcription factors related to IL-2 production in T cells. Compound 9 significantly increased the PMA/Io-induced promoter activity of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT) in EL-4 T cells, but did not have any significant effects on the promoters of NF- κB. These results suggest that compound 9 activates T cell function via the regulation of NF-AT-mediated IL-2 production.