Inhibitory effects of protopanaxatriol type ginsenoside fraction (Rgx365) on particulate matter-induced pulmonary injury

ABSTRACTInhalation of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is associated with elevated pulmonary injury attributed to the loss of vascular barrier integrity. Black ginseng(BG), steamed 9 times and dried ginseng, and its major protopanaxatrioltype ginsenosides( ginsenosideRg4, Rg6, Rh4, Rh1, and Rg2) exhibited various biological activities including anti-septic, anti-diabetic, wound healing, immune-stimulatory, and anti-antioxidant activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the beneficial effects of Rgx365 (a protopanaxatrioltype rare ginsenosidesfraction) on PM-induced lung endothelial cell (EC) barrier disruption and pulmonary inflammation. Permeability, leukocyte migration, activation of proinflammatory proteins, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and histology were examined in PM2.5-treated EC and mice. Rgx365 significantly scavenged PM2.5-induced ROS, inhibited ROS-induced activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK), activated Akt in purified pulmonary EC, which helped ...