Protective effects of ginsenoside F2 on 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-induced skin inflammation in mice

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications 2016-09, Vol.478 (4), p.1713-1719
• Main Authors: Park, Seol-Hee, Seo, Wonhyo, Eun, Hyuk Soo, Kim, So Yeon, Jo, Eunjung, Kim, Myung-Ho, Choi, Won-Mook, Lee, Jun-Hee, Shim, Young-Ri, Cui, Chang-hao, Kim, Sun Chang, Hwang, Cheol Yong, Jeong, Won-Il
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration, Cutaneous; Animals; Dermatitis - etiology; Dermatitis - metabolism; Dermatitis - prevention & control; Ear, External - drug effects; Ear, External - metabolism; Ear, External - pathology; Edema - chemically induced; Edema - metabolism; Edema - prevention & control; Flow Cytometry; Gene Expression - drug effects; Ginsenosides - administration & dosage; Ginsenosides - pharmacology; Interleukin-17; Interleukin-17 - genetics; Interleukin-17 - metabolism; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Neutrophil; Neutrophils - drug effects; Neutrophils - metabolism; Protective Agents - administration & dosage; Protective Agents - pharmacology; Reactive Oxygen Species - metabolism; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta - genetics; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta - metabolism; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; ROS; T-Lymphocytes - drug effects; T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate - toxicity; γδ T cell
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.09.009

Topical use of ginsenosides, the major bioactive substances in Panax ginseng, has been used for the treatment of irritated skin complaints. However, the protective mechanisms of ginsenosides remain unclear. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory role of ginsenoside F2 (GF2) on the skin inflammation. To induce irritant dermatitis, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) was applied on the surface of the mouse ears with or without treatments of GF2 and dexamethasone for 24 h. Protective effects of GF2 on edema and inflammation were assessed by measuring ear thickness, weights of skin punch, and inflammatory responses. In gross findings, treatments with GF2 significantly decreased skin thickness and weight compared to those of TPA-treated groups, which was comparable with the protective effects of dexamethasone. In addition, expression of inflammatory mediators was remarkably reduced in GF2-treated ears compared to that of vehicle-treated ears of mice. Interestingly, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry analyses revealed that TPA treatment significantly increased infiltration of interleukin-17 (IL-17) producing dermal γδ T cells, while frequencies of γδ T cells was decreased by GF2 treatment, subsequently ameliorating inflammation in skin. Concomitantly, TPA-mediated skin inflammation was significantly ameliorated in IL-17A knock out mice. Furthermore, GF2 treatment inhibited infiltration and generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) of neutrophils in damaged ears compared with vehicle-treated mice. These results clearly suggest that GF2 treatment ameliorates TPA-induced dermal inflammation by inhibiting production of IL-17 and ROS in γδ T cells and neutrophils, respectively. Therefore, as a natural compound, application of GF2 may be a novel therapeutic approach for treating skin inflammation. •Ginsenoside F2 treatment attenuates TPA-induced ear skin inflammation.•Ginsenoside F2 treatment decreases migration of IL-17A producing cells.•Dermal γδ T cells are the major producer of IL-17A in skin inflammation.•Ginsenoside F2 treatment decreases migration and ROS generation of neutrophils.