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Ginseng modulates the immune response by induction of interleukin‐12 production
Author(s) -
LARSEN MARIA WALDORFF,
MOSER CLAUS,
HØIBY NIELS,
SONG ZHIJUN,
KHARAZMI ARSALAN
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
apmis
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.909
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1600-0463
pISSN - 0903-4641
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0463.2004.apm1120607.x
Subject(s) - immune system , ginseng , peripheral blood mononuclear cell , immunology , interleukin , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , extracellular , interleukin 2 , interferon gamma , cytokine , medicine , in vitro , biochemistry , alternative medicine , pathology
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‐γ (IFN‐γ) 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.