Inhalation of fine
particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with elevated
pulmonary injury attributed to the loss of vascular barrier integrity. Black ginseng (BG), steamed 9 times and dried ginseng, and its major
protopanaxatriol type
ginsenosides (
ginsenoside Rg4, Rg6, Rh4, Rh1, and Rg2) exhibited various
biological activities including anti-septic, anti-diabetic, wound healing, immune-stimulatory, and anti-
antioxidant activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the beneficial effects of Rgx365 (a
protopanaxatriol type rare
ginsenosides fraction) on PM-induced lung endothelial cell (EC) barrier disruption and
pulmonary inflammation. Permeability, leukocyte migration, activation of proinflammatory
proteins, generation of
reactive oxygen species (ROS), and histology were examined in PM2.5-treated EC and mice. Rgx365 significantly scavenged PM2.5-induced ROS, inhibited ROS-induced activation of
p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), activated Akt in purified pulmonary EC, which helped maintain endothelial integrity. Further, Rgx365 reduced vascular
protein leakage, leukocyte infiltration, and proinflammatory
cytokine release in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids in PM-induced mouse lung tissues. Data suggested that Rgx365 might exhibit protective effects in PM-induced inflammatory
lung injury and vascular hyperpermeability.