Effect of Korean Red Ginseng on Artificial Sand Dust (ASD) Induced Allergic Lung Inflammation

Abstract

Asian sand dust is known to promote various respiratory symptoms or disorders. For the prevention of harmful healtheffects by Asian sand dust, the best strategy is known to avoid or reduce exposure to the Asian sand dust. Several studieshave shown that Korean red ginseng (RG) has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects. The study aimed to clarify theeffect of Korean red ginseng intake on lung inflammation responses to artificial sand dust (ASD) similar to Asian sanddust. BALB/c mice were divided into five groups (n=12) of control (saline), ovalbumin (OVA), OVA with ASD, OVAplus RG with ASD, and OVA plus dexamethasone (DEXA) with ASD. Histopathologic evaluation of lung was conducted. Interleukin (IL)-5, IL-12, interferon (IFN)-γ, IL-13, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, and eotaxin withinbronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were measured by ELISA. OVA+ASD group significantly increased concentrationsof IL-5, IL-13, MCP-1, and eotaxin (P<0.01) compared to the control. OVA+ASD+RG group showed significantdecreased levels of IL-2, IL-13, MCP-1 and eotaxin (P<0.01) compared with OVA+ASD. Between RG and DEXAtreatment groups, there was no significant difference in all cytokines and chemokines. The inflammatory cells weresignificantly decreased in treatment groups with RG or DEXA compared to OVA+ASD group. This study suggests abeneficial effect of Korean RG administration in preventing inflammation of lung resulting from Asian sand dust.