Anti-inflammatory and Anti-oxidative Effects of Korean Red Ginseng Extract in Human Keratinocytes

BACKGROUND In this study, we have investigated the effect of Korean red ginseng (KRG) extracts on the production of TNF-α and IL-8 in human keratinocytes. Also, to examine the antioxidative effect of red ginseng extracts, free radical scavenging activity and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in human dermal fibroblasts was measured. METHODS To investigate the effect of KRG in atopic dermatitis, we measured the level of TNF-α and IL-8 secretion in LPS-stimulated human keratinocytes after the treatment of KRG extracts using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anti-oxidative activity was investigated by measuring 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging and SOD activity. RESULTS The stimulation of human keratinocytes with KRG extracts shifted the LPS-induced cytokine secretion toward a more immunosuppressive response. KRG dose-dependently decreased TNF-α and IL-8 production in HaCaT cells and a significant inhibition of TNF-α was shown when cells were treated with 500 and 1,000 µg/ml of KRG extracts. Additionally, KRG extracts showed DPPH radical scavenging and SOD activity in a dose-dependent manner. Particularly, SOD activities of concentrations higher than 60 µg/ml of KRG extracts were significantly different in human dermal fibroblast cells. CONCLUSION Based on this study, KRG extracts may be a useful immunosuppressive agent in the treatment of atopic dermatitis.