Black Ginseng Extract Exerts Potentially Anti-Asthmatic Activity by Inhibiting the Protein Kinase Cθ-Mediated IL-4/STAT6 Signaling Pathway

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes respiratory difficulties. Black ginseng extract (BGE) has preventative effects on diseases such as asthma. However, the pharmacological mechanisms behind anti-asthmatic activity of BGE remain unknown. To investigate mechanism BGE, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate plus ionomycin (PMA/Iono)-stimulated mouse EL4 cells and ovalbumin (OVA)-induced mice with allergic airway inflammation were used. Immune (eosinophils/macrophages), interleukin (IL)-4, -5, -13, serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Inflammatory cell recruitment mucus secretion in tissue estimated. Protein expression was analyzed via Western blotting, including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activation protein kinase C theta (PKCθ) its downstream signaling molecules. decreased T helper (Th)2 cytokines, IgE, secretion, iNOS inflammation, thereby providing protective effect. Moreover, major ginsenosides inhibited production Th2 cytokines PMA/Iono-stimulated cells. In cells, these outcomes accompanied by inactivation PKCθ transcription factors, nuclear factor activated (NFAT), kappa B (NF-κB), activator 6 (STAT6), GATA binding 3 (GATA3), which are involved inflammation. also abovementioned transcriptional factors These results highlight potential useful therapeutic agent for