Effects of ginsenoside Rh1 on expression of inflammatory factors in mouse asthma model

AIM: To observe the effects of ginsenoside Rh1 on the levels of inflammatory factors in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and the pathological changes of the lung tissues in an experimentally induced mouse asthma model. METHODS: Male BALB/c mice (n=40) were divided into 4 groups:normal control group, asthma mo-del group, and low-dose (40 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) and high-dose (80 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) ginsenoside Rh1 groups. The bronchial asthma mouse model was established by the method of ovalbumin induction and excitation, and during the excitation period, the mice were daily treated with ginsenoside Rh1 for 2 weeks. At 24 h after the final dose of ginsenoside Rh1, the mice were sacrificed. The number of eosinophils (EOS) and the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and interferon (IFN)-γ in BALF were determined. The levels of IgG and IgE in serum were measured, and the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and the pathological changes in lung tissues were evaluated. RESULTS: Ginsenoside Rh1 inhibited the increases in the number of EOS and the concentrations of IL-4, IL-5, IFN-γ and IgE, reversed the increased expression of TGF-β1, and improved the pathological changes of the lung tissues in asthmatic mice. CONCLUSION: Ginsenoside Rh1 improves the immuno-inflammatory profile and pathological changes in the experimentally induced mouse asthma model, implying its potential therapeutic effect on asthma.