Effects of selected ginsenosides on phorbol ester-induced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and activation of NF-κB and ERK1/2 in mouse skin

Abstract

Our previous studies have demonstrated that the methanol extract of heat-processed Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer exerts antioxidative, antiinflammatory, and anti-tumor-promoting effects. In the present study, we examined the antiinflammatory effects of several ginsenosides (Rb-1, Rc, Re, Rg(1), Rg(3)) derived from P ginseng. Topical application of each of these ginsenosides significantly attenuated ear edema induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). These ginsenosides also suppressed expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and activation of NF-kappaB in the TPA-treated dorsal skin of mice. Of the ginsenosides tested, Rg(3) Was found to be most effective in terms of inhibiting TPA-induced ear edema, COX-2 expression, and NF-kappaB activation.