The anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of Korean black ginseng

Abstract

Background: Different processing conditions alter the ginseng bioactive compounds, promoting or reducing its anti-inflammatory effects. We compared black ginseng (BG) - that have been steamed 5 times - with red ginseng (RG).

Hypothesis/ purpose: To compare the anti-inflammatory activities and the anti-nociceptive properties of RG and BG.

Methods: Nitric Oxide (NO) and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide (MTT) assay, quantitative Reverse Transcriptase-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR), western blot, xylene-induced ear edema, carrageenan-induced paw edema RESULTS: The ginsenoside contents were confirmed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and has been altered through increased processing. The highest concentration of these extracts inhibited NO production to near-basal levels in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 without exhibiting cytotoxicity. Pro-inflammatory cytokine expression at the mRNA level was investigated using qRT-PCR. Comparatively, BG exhibited better inhibition of pro-inflammatory mediators, iNOS and COX-2 and pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α. Protein expression was determined using western blot analysis and BG exhibited stronger inhibition. Xylene-induced ear edema model in mice and carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats were carried out and tested with the effects of ginseng as well as dexamethasone and indomethacin - commonly used drugs. BG is a more potent anti-inflammatory agent, possesses anti-nociceptive properties, and has a strong potency comparable to the NSAIDs.

Conclusion: BG has more potent anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects due to the change in ginsenoside component with increased processing.

Keywords: Abbreviations: TLR, Toll-like receptor; Anti-inflammation; Anti-nociceptive; Black ginseng; COX-2, Cyclooxygenase-2; Carrageenan-induced paw edema; ERK, extracellular-signal-regulated kinases; FBS, Fetal bovine serum; I(max), Maximal inhibition; IKK, inhibitor of kappa B kinase; IL, Interleukin; IκB/α, inhibitor kappa B-alpha; JNK, c-Jun N-terminal kinases; LPS, Lipopolysaccharides; MAPK, mitogen-activated protein kinases; NF-κB, Nuclear factor Kappa-B; NO, Nitric oxide; Panax ginseng; TLR, Toll-like receptors; TNF-α, Tumor necrotic factor alpha; TRPV-1, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1; Xylene-induced ear edema; iNOS, inducible NO synthase.