Korean J Asthma Allergy Clin Immunol.  2010 Mar;30(1):43-49.

Effects of Korean Red Ginseng Extracts on Airway Hyperresponsiveness and Inflammation in a Murine Asthma Model

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The morbidity associated with asthma is still high, despite improvements in understanding of the disease and the development of new drugs. Therefore, many sufferers turn to alternative or complementary therapies, although scientific evidence is usually insufficient.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to determine the efficacy of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) extracts on airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), inflammation and airway remodeling in a murine asthma model. Method: For an acute asthma model, BALB/c mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) on days 0 and 14, and were challenged with OVA on days 21, 22 and 23. KRG extracts were orally given from days 17 to 23. For a chronic asthma model, OVA-sensitized mice were exposed to OVA twice a week for 6 weeks with or without KRG extracts. RESULT: In mice that were treated with KRG extracts, AHR, total cell and eosinophil counts of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were significantly reduced. TNF-alpha in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was significantly decreased after administration of KRG extracts.
CONCLUSION
KRG extracts may suppress AHR and airway inflammation in a murine asthma model. Human clinical studies are required to reveal the effectiveness and side effects of KRG extracts in patients with asthma.

MeSH Terms

Airway Remodeling
Animals
Asthma
Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid
Complementary Therapies
Eosinophils
Humans
Inflammation
Mice
Ovalbumin
Ovum
Panax
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
Ovalbumin
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha