Effect of Red Ginseng Oil on Cultured Sebocytes and Outer Root Sheath Cells after Treatment with Lipopolysaccharide

• Published in: Annals of dermatology Vol. 33; no. 3; pp. 245 - 253
• Main Authors: Jung, Han-Jin, Lee, Seon Hwa, Kwack, Mi Hee, Lee, Weon Ju
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Dermatological Association; The Korean Society for Investigative Dermatology 01.06.2021; 대한피부과학회
• Subjects: Original; 피부과학; Acne vulgaris; Sebocytes; Outer root sheath cells; Red ginseng oil
• ISSN: 1013-9087; 2005-3894
• DOI: 10.5021/ad.2021.33.3.245

Ginseng has been known in Korea as a health-supportive herbal medicine from time immemorial. Essential oil isolated from fresh ginseng has been shown to display antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. The effects of red ginseng oil (RGO) on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated sebocytes and outer root sheath (ORS) cells were studied. The cultured cells were treated with either 0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide, 5 µg/ml LPS, 50 µg/ml RGO, or 5 µg/ml LPS plus 50 µg/ml RGO for 6 and 24 hours. RT-PCR, real-time PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blot, and immunofluorescence staining were performed for the analysis of inflammatory cytokine. RGO showed the increased gene and protein expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α in the LPS-treated sebocytes and ORS cells. RGO also showed the increased protein expression of p-c-jun and p-JNK in the LPS-treated sebocytes and ORS cells. Gene expression of TLR2 was increased in LPS-treated sebocytes following treatment with RGO. Additionally, RGO resulted in an increased expression of LL-37 in the LPS-treated sebocytes and ORS cells. Moreover, it remarkably increased the production of sebum in LPS-treated sebocytes. RGO might be among the aggravating factors of acne vulgaris. It would be better to stop taking red ginseng in patients with inflammatory acne.