Planta Med 2009; 75(4): 321-326
DOI: 10.1055/s-0028-1112218
Pharmacology
Original Paper
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Ginsenoside Rp1, a Ginsenoside Derivative, Blocks Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Interleukin-1β Production via Suppression of the NF-κB Pathway

Byung Hun Kim1 , Yong Gyu Lee1 , Tae Yoon Park2 , Ho Bang Kim3 , Man Hee Rhee4 , Jae Youl Cho1
  • 1School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, and Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Kangwon National University; Chuncheon, Korea
  • 2Ambo Institute, Dogok-dong, Gangnam-ku, Seoul, Korea
  • 3Department of Biological Science, Myongji University, Yongin, Korea
  • 4College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University; Daegu, Korea
Further Information

Publication History

Received: June 16, 2008 Revised: November 7, 2008

Accepted: November 17, 2008

Publication Date:
14 January 2009 (online)

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Abstract

Ginsenoside Rp1 (G-Rp1) is a ginseng saponin derivative with chemopreventive and anti-cancer activities. In this study, we examined the regulatory activity of G-Rp1 on the production of interleukin (IL)-1β, a pro-inflammatory cytokine managing acute or chronic inflammatory diseases such as septic shock and rheumatoid arthritis, from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated macrophage-like RAW264.7 cells. G-Rp1 dose-dependently inhibited IL-1β production from LPS-treated RAW264.7 cells without altering cell viability. This compound suppressed both mRNA and protein levels of IL-1β. In particular, this compound was found to down-regulate phosphorylation of the inhibitor of κB (IκB) kinase (IKK)/IκBα, and consequent activation of NF-κB, but not the activation of its upstream signaling enzymes such as mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) and p85, a regulatory subunit of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K). Therefore, these results suggest that G-Rp1 may act as an inhibitor of IL-1β production by inhibiting the NF-κB pathway.

References

Jae Youl Cho, PhD

School of Bioscience and Biotechnology and

Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology

Kangwon National University

192–1 Hyoja-2-Dong

Chuncheon 200–701

South Korea

Phone: +82-33-250-6562

Fax: +82-33-253-6560

Email: jaecho@kangwon.ac.kr

Man Hee Rhee, DVM, PhD

College of Veterinary Medicine

Kyungpook National University

Daegu 702–701

South Korea

Phone: +82-53-950-5967

Fax: +82-53-950-5955

Email: rheemh@knu.ac.kr