Immunomodulatory Activity of Red Ginseng against Influenza A Virus Infection

• Main Authors: Jong Seok Lee, Hye Suk Hwang, Eun-Ju Ko, Yu-Na Lee, Young-Man Kwon, Min-Chul Kim, Sang-Moo Kang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2014-01-01
• Series: Nutrients
• Subjects: Panax ginseng; influenza A virus; epithelial cells; oxidative stress; interferon
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/6/2/517

Ginseng herbal medicine has been known to have beneficial effects on improving human health. We investigated whether red ginseng extract (RGE) has preventive effects on influenza A virus infection in vivo and in vitro. RGE was found to improve survival of human lung epithelial cells upon influenza virus infection. Also, RGE treatment reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory genes (IL-6, IL-8) probably in part through interference with the formation of reactive oxygen species by influenza A virus infection. Long-term oral administration of mice with RGE showed multiple immunomodulatory effects such as stimulating antiviral cytokine IFN-γ production after influenza A virus infection. In addition, RGE administration in mice inhibited the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the bronchial lumens. Therefore, RGE might have the potential beneficial effects on preventing influenza A virus infections via its multiple immunomodulatory functions.