Ginsenoside (G) Rp1 is a ginseng saponin derivative with anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory activities. In this study, we examined the mechanism by which G-Rp1 inhibits inflammatory responses of cells. We did this using a strategy in which DNA constructs containing cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) promoters were transfected into HEK293 cells. G-Rp1 strongly inhibited the promoter activities of COX-2 and iNOS; it also inhibited lipopolysaccharide induced upregulation of COX-2 and iNOS mRNA levels in RAW264.7 cells. In HEK293 cells G-Rp1 did not suppress TANK binding kinase 1-, Toll-interleukin-1 receptor-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF)-, TRIFrelated adaptor molecule (TRAM)-, or activation of interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-3 and nuclear factor (NF)-кB by the myeloid differentiation primary response gene (MyD88)-induced. However, G-Rp1 strongly suppressed NF-кB activation induced by IкB kinase (IKK)β in HEK293 cells. Consistent with these results, G-Rp1 substantially inhibited IKKβ-induced phosphorylation of IкBɑ and p65. These results suggest that G-Rp1 is a novel anti-inflammatory ginsenoside analog that can be used to treat IKKβ/NF-кB-mediated inflammatory diseases.
Keywords: Cyclooxygenase 2; Ginsenoside Rp1; Nitric oxide synthase type II; Nuclear factor-кB; Panax ginseng; Promoter activity.