ABSTRACT
Ginseng has been shown to modulate the immune system. In this study, ginseng"s effects against chronic P. aeruginosa lung infection in animal models and its cytokine-modulating effects on leukocytes were investigated. Leukocytes cultured with ginseng produced more interleukin-12. Animal models treated with ginseng s.c. showed a much faster bacterial clearance, milder lung pathology, activation of phagocytes and a Th1 immune response. These results suggest that ginseng treatment induced a Th1-like immune response, which improved the pathologic course in our animal models.
Subject(s)
Cytokines/biosynthesis , Immunologic Factors/pharmacology , Panax , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Pneumonia, Bacterial/drug therapy , Pseudomonas Infections/drug therapy , Animals , Humans , Immunologic Factors/therapeutic use , Interleukin-12/biosynthesis , Phagocytes/immunology , Plant Extracts/therapeutic use , Pneumonia, Bacterial/immunology , Pseudomonas Infections/immunology , Th1 Cells/drug effects , Th1 Cells/immunology , Th2 Cells/drug effects , Th2 Cells/immunologyABSTRACT
In infections with intracellular microorganisms such as mycobacteria and Leishmania parasites as well as certain extracellular chronic infections such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa a Th1 response with activation of macrophages is desirable. Several studies indicate that such a response is associated with better recovery from infection, improved course of the chronic infection, and higher survival rate. In Th1 responses there is increased interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-12 (IL-12) production, whereas that of interleukin-10 (IL-10) is decreased. The present study indicated that Ginseng modulation of stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) results in a higher IL-12 production. The enhanced IL-12 production could induce a stronger Th1 response, resulting in better protection against infection with a variety of pathogens.
