Rescue of Helicobacter pylori-induced cytotoxicity by red ginseng

Dig Dis Sci. 2005 Jul;50(7):1218-27. doi: 10.1007/s10620-005-2763-x.

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori has been known to provoke gastric inflammation, ulceration, and DNA damage, based on which WHO defined H. pylori as a class I carcinogen. Although ginseng, the root of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, has been reported to possess antiadhesion or antimicrobial activity against H. pylori, in this study, we examined the protective effect of red ginseng extracts (RGE) against H. pylori-induced cytotoxicity and DNA damage. RGE significantly attenuated both H. pylori-induced DNA damage assessed by comet assay and apoptosis measured by DNA fragmentation. Inactivation of ERK1/2 signaling and attenuation of caspase-3 activation and PARP cleavage were revealed with RGE against H. pylori infection. RGE decreased H. pylori-stimulated IL-8 gene expression, which resulted from the transcriptional regression of NF-kappaB. In conclusion, RGE showed significant gastroprotective effects against H. pylori-associated gastric mucosal cell damage, suggesting that red ginseng could be used as a medicinal phytonutrient against H. pylori infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Division / drug effects
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cytoprotection
  • DNA Damage / drug effects*
  • Gastric Mucosa / drug effects
  • Gastric Mucosa / microbiology
  • Gastric Mucosa / pathology
  • Gastric Mucosa / physiopathology*
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Helicobacter Infections / genetics
  • Helicobacter Infections / pathology
  • Helicobacter Infections / physiopathology*
  • Helicobacter pylori*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-8 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Interleukin-8 / genetics
  • Panax / chemistry*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Interleukin-8
  • Plant Extracts