Journal of Ginseng Research (Nov 2021)

Korean Red Ginseng exerts anti-inflammatory and autophagy-promoting activities in aged mice

  • Jin Kyeong Kim,
  • Kon Kuk Shin,
  • Haeyeop Kim,
  • Yo Han Hong,
  • Wooram Choi,
  • Yi-Seong Kwak,
  • Chang-Kyun Han,
  • Sun Hee Hyun,
  • Jae Youl Cho

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 45, no. 6
pp. 717 – 725

Abstract

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Background: Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is a traditional herb that has several beneficial properties including anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and autophagy regulatory effects. However, the mechanisms of these effects are not well understood. In this report, the underlying mechanisms of anti-inflammatory and autophagy-promoting effects were investigated in aged mice treated with KRG-water extract (WE) over a long period. Methods: The mechanisms of anti-inflammatory and autophagy-promoting activities of KRG-WE were evaluated in kidney, lung, liver, stomach, and colon of aged mice using semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), and western blot analysis. Results: KRG-WE significantly suppressed the mRNA expression levels of inflammation-related genes such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and IL-6 in kidney, lung, liver, stomach, and colon of the aged mice. Furthermore, KRG-WE downregulated the expression of transcription factors and their protein levels associated with inflammation in lung and kidney of aged mice. KRG-WE also increased the expression of autophagy-related genes and their protein levels in colon, liver, and stomach. Conclusion: The results suggest that KRG can suppress inflammatory responses and recover autophagy activity in aged mice.

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