RESUMEN
Obesity is the result of an energy imbalance caused by an increased ratio of caloric intake to energy expenditure [...].
Asunto(s)
Obesidad/terapia , Biomarcadores , Manejo de la Enfermedad , Susceptibilidad a Enfermedades , Descubrimiento de Drogas , Humanos , Obesidad/etiología , Obesidad/metabolismoRESUMEN
The root of ginseng is one of the most popular natural tonics in Oriental countries. Ginseng grown in the wild, deep in the mountains, is known as Sansam (mountain grown ginseng, MGG). MGG belongs to Araliaceae and Panax. In this study, we investigated the effects of MGG on the cytotoxicity, induction of apoptosis and the putative pathways of its actions in human promyelocytic leukemia cells, HL-60. Using apoptosis analysis, we found that MGG is a potent inducer of apoptosis, but it has less effect on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Caspase-3 activation and subsequent apoptotic cell death in MGG-treated cells were partially blocked by the caspase-3 inhibitor, Z-DEVD-FMK. MGG also inhibited the caspase-8 activity. To determine whether MGG-induced apoptosis is involved in tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) secretion, TNF-alpha secretion was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method. Unexpectedly, MGG significantly decreased the TNF-alpha secretion compared to the control. These results suggest that MGG-induced cytotoxicity have little relation with the secretion of TNF-alpha in HL-60 cells. Furthermore, MGG with rIFN-gamma synergistically increased nitric oxide (NO) production in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Taken together, our data indicate that MGG is a potent inducer of apoptosis on HL-60 cells and these abilities could be used clinically for the treatment of cancer.
Asunto(s)
Apoptosis/efectos de los fármacos , Panax , Raíces de Plantas , Factor de Necrosis Tumoral alfa/metabolismo , Animales , Caspasa 3/metabolismo , Caspasa 8/metabolismo , Inhibidores de Caspasas , Células Cultivadas , Inhibidores de Cisteína Proteinasa/farmacología , Sinergismo Farmacológico , Células HL-60 , Humanos , Interferón gamma/farmacología , Macrófagos/efectos de los fármacos , Macrófagos/metabolismo , Ratones , Óxido Nítrico/metabolismo , Oligopéptidos/farmacología , Extractos Vegetales/farmacologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Panax ginseng has been used as a traditional medicine for many years mainly among Asian peoples for developing physical strength. We undertook this study to determine the immune-enhancement effect of P. ginseng using a forced swimming test (FST) and by measuring cytokine production in MOLT-4 cell culture and mouse peritoneal macrophages. METHODS: P. ginseng was orally administered to mice once a day for 7 days. The anti-immobility effect of P. ginseng on the FST and blood biochemical parameters related to fatigue, glucose (Glc); blood urea nitrogen (BUN); latic dehydrogenase (LDH); total protein (TP) and production of cytokines in human T cell line, MOLT-4 cells and mouse peritoneal macrophages were investigated. RESULTS: After two and seven days, the immobility time was decreased in the P. ginsengadministrated mice as compared to the control group; however, this reduction was not significant. In addition, the amount of TP in the blood serum was significantly increased. However, the levels of Glc, BUN, and LDH did not show a significant change. P. ginseng significantly (P<0.05) increased interferon (IFN)-gamma production and expression as compared to control at 48 h in MOLT-4 cells. P. ginseng plus recombinant IFN-gamma instead of P. ginseng alone significantly increased the production of the tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha in the mouse peritoneal macrophages. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that P. ginseng may be useful for an immune promoter. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanism of its action.