Protection of Staphylococcus aureus-infected septic mice by suppression of early acute inflammation and enhanced antimicrobial activity by ginsan.

Abstract

Ginsan, an acidic polysaccharide prepared from Panax ginseng, demonstrated multiple immunomodulatory effects in previous studies. This study was conducted to elucidate the antiseptic mechanism induced by ginsan in mice infected with Staphylococcus aureus. When mice were treated with ginsan before the bacterial challenge with S. aureus, they were highly protected from sepsis-induced death. The numbers of S. aureus recovered from ginsan-treated mice were considerably lower than those recovered from nontreated mice. The in vivo depletion of monocytes/macrophages caused more S. aureus to be recovered from the bacteria-infected mice. Nevertheless, mice treated with both etoposide and ginsan were able to maintain an antibacterial activity. In addition, the phagocytic activity of ginsan-treated macrophage against S. aureus was considerably enhanced. The synthesis of inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IFN-gamma, IL-12, IL-18 and interferon gamma, was significantly downregulated at the early phase of sepsis in mice that were treated with ginsan before the bacterial challenge. Expression of Toll-like receptors (TLRs), including TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9, as well as the adaptor molecule MyD88, was considerably reduced in peritoneal macrophages that were treated with ginsan before a subsequent contact with S. aureus. These data indicated that ginsan protected mice from S. aureus-induced sepsis through the suppression of acute inflammatory responses at an early phase and the enhancement of antimicrobial activities at subsequent phases of infection.

• Authors: Ji-Yeon Ahn, Jie-Young Song, Yeon-Sook Yun, Gajin Jeong, In-Soo Choi
• Journal: FEMS immunology and medical microbiology (FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol) Vol. 46 Issue 2 Pg. 187-97 (Mar 2006) ISSN: 0928-8244 [Print] England
• PMID: 16487300 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Adjuvants, Immunologic
• Anti-Bacterial Agents
• Cytokines
• Plant Extracts
• Polysaccharides
• ginsan

Topics

• Adjuvants, Immunologic (pharmacology)
• Animals
• Anti-Bacterial Agents (pharmacology)
• Cell Line
• Cytokines (metabolism)
• Down-Regulation
• Humans
• Inflammation (drug therapy, immunology)
• Macrophages (drug effects, immunology)
• Male
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred BALB C
• Panax (chemistry)
• Phagocytosis
• Phytotherapy
• Plant Extracts (immunology, pharmacology)
• Polysaccharides (immunology, pharmacology)
• Sepsis (drug therapy, immunology, microbiology, mortality)
• Staphylococcal Infections (drug therapy, immunology, microbiology, mortality)
• Staphylococcus aureus (drug effects)