[Comparative study of main components of ginseng on immune function of rats]

Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2014 Sep;39(17):3363-6.
[Article in Chinese]

Abstract

Ginseng and its effective components are famous for their influence to enhance human immunity, regulate endocrine and antioxidant action. However, the different effects of different components are not clear. In this study, Wistar rats were used to study the effects of main components of ginseng, including total ginsenoside, panaxadiol saponins, panaxtrol saponin and ginseng polysaccharide. The results showed that the effects of panaxadiol saponins and ginseng polysaccharide on improving animal immune organ weight, plasma interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 6 (IL-6), plasma gamma-interferon (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were better than that of the other groups. Total ginsenoside and panaxtrol saponin can effectively increase the concentration of spleen NK cells (NKC) while panaxadiol saponins and ginseng polysaccharide can significantly increase the concentrations of rat plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH), corticosterone (CORT) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). As for the effect of increasing organization nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), total ginsenoside is better than that of other groups. In brief, different components in ginseng possess different effects on enhancing immunity, regulating endocrine and resisting oxidation. Panaxadiol saponins and ginseng polysaccharide are better in enhancing immune, and total ginsenoside shows advantages in resisting oxidation and stress.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Glands / drug effects
  • Adrenal Glands / growth & development
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone / blood
  • Animals
  • Brain / drug effects
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Corticosterone / blood
  • Ginsenosides / pharmacology*
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Immune System / drug effects*
  • Immune System / physiology
  • Interferon-gamma / blood
  • Interleukin-2 / blood
  • Interleukin-6 / blood
  • Killer Cells, Natural / drug effects
  • Malondialdehyde / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Organ Size / drug effects
  • Panax / chemistry*
  • Polysaccharides / pharmacology*
  • Random Allocation
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Saponins / pharmacology*
  • Spleen / drug effects
  • Spleen / growth & development
  • Superoxide Dismutase / metabolism
  • Thymus Gland / drug effects
  • Thymus Gland / growth & development
  • Thyrotropin / blood

Substances

  • Ginsenosides
  • Interleukin-2
  • Interleukin-6
  • Polysaccharides
  • Saponins
  • panaxadiol
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Malondialdehyde
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Adrenocorticotropic Hormone
  • Thyrotropin
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Glutathione
  • Corticosterone