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KMID : 0861020120270060131
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Korea Journal of Herbology
2012 Volume.27 No. 6 p.131 ~ p.137
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Effect of Ginsenoside Rg3 on COX-2 Expression in Brain Tissue of Lipopolysaccharide-Treated Mice
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Choi Won-Ik
Cho Yong-Deok
Lee Joon-Seok
Shin Jung-Won
Kim Seong-Joon
Sohn Nak-Won
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Abstract
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Objectives: Cyclooxygenase (COX) plays a central role in the inflammatory cascade by converting arachidonic acid into prostaglandin. COX-2 is typically induced by inflammatory stimuli in the majority of tissues, it is responsible for propagating the inflammatory response and thus, considered as the best target for anti-inflammatory drugs. The present study investigated the modulatory effect of ginsenoside Rg3, a principle active ingredient in Panax ginseng, on COX-2 expression in the brain tissue induced by systemic lipopolysaccharide (LPS) treatment in C57BL/6 mice.
Methods: Because systemic LPS treatment induces COX-2 expression immediately in the brain, ginsenoside Rg3 was treated orally with doses of 10, 20, and 30 mg/kg at 1 hour before the LPS (3 mg/kg, i.p.) injection. At 4 hours after the LPS injection, COX-2 mRNA was measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction method, COX-2 protein levels were measured by Western blotting. In addition, COX-2 expressions in brain tissue were observed with immunohistochemistry and double immunofluoresence labeling.
Results: Ginsenoside Rg3 (20 and 30 mg/kg) significantly attenuates up-regulation of COX-2 mRNA and protein expression in brain tissue at 4 hours after the LPS injection. Moreover, ginsenoside Rg3 (20 mg/kg) significantly reduced the number of COX-2 positive neurons in the cerebral cortex and amygdala.
Conclusion: These results indicate that ginsenoside Rg3 plays a modulatory role in neuroinflammation through the inhibition of COX-2 expression in the brain and suggest that ginsenoside Rg3 and ginseng may be effective on neurodegenerative diseases caused by neuroinflammation.
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KEYWORD
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Ginsenoside Rg3, COX-2, LPS, neuroinflammation, neurodegenerative disease
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