Red ginseng and vitamin C increase immune cell activity and decrease lung inflammation induced by influenza A virus/H1N1 infection

• Published in: Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology Vol. 68; no. 3; p. 406
• Main Authors: Kim, Hyemin, Jang, Mirim, Kim, Yejin, Choi, Jiyea, Jeon, Jane, Kim, Jihoon, Hwang, Young-Il, Kang, Jae Seung, Lee, Wang Jae
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.03.2016
• Subjects: Animals; Antiviral Agents - immunology; Ascorbic Acid - immunology; Female; Humans; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype - immunology; Interferon-gamma - immunology; Killer Cells, Natural - immunology; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - immunology; Lung - immunology; Lung - virology; Lymphocyte Activation - immunology; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Orthomyxoviridae Infections - immunology; Orthomyxoviridae Infections - virology; Panax - immunology; Pneumonia - immunology; red ginseng; vitamin C; H1N1; influenza A virus
• ISSN: 2042-7158
• DOI: 10.1111/jphp.12529

Because red ginseng and vitamin C have immunomodulatory function and anti-viral effect, we investigated whether red ginseng and vitamin C synergistically regulate immune cell function and suppress viral infection. Red ginseng and vitamin C were treated to human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) or sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV)-infected BCBL-1, and administrated to Gulo(-/-) mice, which are incapable of synthesizing vitamin C, with or without influenza A virus/H1N1 infection. Red ginseng and vitamin C increased the expression of CD25 and CD69 of PBMCs and natural killer (NK) cells. Co-treatment of them decreased cell viability and lytic gene expression in BCBL-1. In Gulo(-/-) mice, red ginseng and vitamin C increased the expression of NKp46, a natural cytotoxic receptor of NK cells and interferon (IFN)-γ production. Influenza infection decreased the survival rate, and increased inflammation and viral plaque accumulation in the lungs of vitamin C-depleted Gulo(-/-) mice, which were remarkably reduced by red ginseng and vitamin C supplementation. Administration of red ginseng and vitamin C enhanced the activation of immune cells like T and NK cells, and repressed the progress of viral lytic cycle. It also reduced lung inflammation caused by viral infection, which consequently increased the survival rate.