Ginsenoside Rb1 increases macrophage phagocytosis through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase/Akt pathway. - GreenMedInfo Summary
Ginsenoside Rb1 increases macrophage phagocytosis through p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase/Akt pathway.
J Ginseng Res. 2019 Jul ;43(3):394-401. Epub 2018 Jun 2. PMID: 31308811
Chun Xin
Background: Ginsenoside Rb1, a triterpene saponin, is derived from theroot and has potent antiinflammatory activity. In this study, we determined if Rb1 can increase macrophage phagocytosis and elucidated the underlying mechanisms.
Methods: To measure macrophage phagocytosis, mouse peritoneal macrophages or RAW 264.7 cells were cultured with fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated, and the phagocytic index was determined by flow cytometry. Western blot analyses were performed.
Results: Ginsenoside Rb1 increased macrophage phagocytosis and phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), but inhibition of p38 MAPK activity with SB203580 decreased the phagocytic ability of macrophages. Rb1 also increased Akt phosphorylation, which was suppressed by LY294002, a phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor. Rb1-induced Akt phosphorylation was inhibited by SB203580, (5Z)-7-oxozeaenol, and small-interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of p38α MAPK in macrophages. However, Rb1-induced p38 MAPK phosphorylation was not blocked by LY294002 or siRNA-mediated knockdown of Akt. The inhibition of Akt activation with siRNA or LY294002 also inhibited the Rb1-induced increase in phagocytosis. Rb1 increased macrophage phagocytosis of IgG-opsonized beads but not unopsonized beads. The phosphorylation of p21 activated kinase 1/2 and actin polymerization induced by IgG-opsonized beads and Rb1 were inhibited by SB203580 and LY294002. Intraperitoneal injection of Rb1 increased phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and Akt and the phagocytosis of bacteriain bronchoalveolar cells.
Conclusion: These results suggest that ginsenoside Rb1 enhances the phagocytic capacity of macrophages for bacteria via activation of the p38/Akt pathway. Rb1 may be a useful pharmacological adjuvant for the treatment of bacterial infections in clinically relevant conditions.