Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2025 Jan;68(1):27-35. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2023.01165.

Korean Red Ginseng and Saponin Regulate the Cytokine and Mucin 5AC/5B Induced by Electronic Cigarette in Respiratory Epithelial Cell

• Lee SJ
• Na HG
• Choi YS
• Song SY
• Kim YD

• KMID: 2564072
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2023.01165

Abstract

Background and Objectives
Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) is a device that generate vapor by heating e-cigarettes liquid. E-cigarette damages the respiratory immune system and renders the respiratory tract vulnerable to inflammations. However, there are no studies on how the inflammatory reactions in respiratory epithelial cells caused by e-cigarette occur, and the effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) and saponin on inflammation induced by e-cigarette are unknown. This study aimed to compare the inflammatory reactions caused by e-cigarette and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and to investigate the effects of KRG and saponin on cytokine and mucin expression induced by e-cigarette in respiratory epithelial cells.
Subjects and Method
In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and lung tissue of mice, the effects of KRG and saponin on cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-8) and mucin 5AC/5B (MUC5AC/5B) expression induced by e-cigarette were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemistry staining.
Results
Inflammatory cells, cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8) and MUC5AC/5B messenger RNA expression and protein production were increased by e-cigarette, similar to LPS. KRG and saponin decreased the expression of cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8) and MUC5AC/5B induced by e-cigarette. KRG and saponin showed effects similar to that of dexamethasone.
Conclusion
E-cigarette causes inflammation similar to that caused by LPS. KRG and saponin regulate the expression of cytokine and MUC5AC/5B increased by e-cigarette in respiratory epithelial cells. KRG and saponin may be an effective therapeutic option for inflammatory responses induced by e-cigarette in respiratory epithelial cells.

Keyword

Cytokine; E-cigarette vapor; Mucins; Panax; Respiratory mucosa