School of Life Science and Chemical Engineering, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Jiangsu, China ; Jiangsu Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Conversion and Process Integration, Huaiyin Institute of Technology, Jiangsu, China ; Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA ; Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
Tang Center for Herbal Medicine Research, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA ; Department of Anesthesia and Critical Care, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.
J Ginseng Res. 2015 Jul;39(3):230-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jgr.2014.12.004. Epub 2015 Jan 10.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of death worldwide. Chronic gut inflammation is recognized as a risk factor for tumor development, including CRC. American ginseng is a very commonly used ginseng species in the West.
A genetically engineered Apc (Min/+) mouse model was used in this study. We analyzed the saponin composition of American ginseng used in this project, and evaluated its effects on the progression of high-fat-diet-enhanced CRC carcinogenesis.
After oral ginseng administration (10-20 mg/kg/d for up to 32 wk), experimental data showed that, compared with the untreated mice, ginseng very significantly reduced tumor initiation and progression in both the small intestine (including the proximal end, middle end, and distal end) and the colon (all p < 0.01). This tumor number reduction was more obvious in those mice treated with a low dose of ginseng. The tumor multiplicity data were supported by body weight changes and gut tissue histology examinations. In addition, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that compared with the untreated group, ginseng very significantly reduced the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in both the small intestine and the colon (all p < 0.01).
Further studies are needed to link our observed effects to the actions of the gut microbiome in converting the parent ginsenosides to bioactive ginseng metabolites. Our data suggest that American ginseng may have potential value in CRC chemoprevention.
结直肠癌（CRC）是全球主要的死亡原因。慢性肠道炎症被认为是肿瘤发展的风险因素，包括 CRC。西洋参是西方非常常用的人参品种。
本研究使用了一种基因工程 Apc（Min/+）小鼠模型。我们分析了本项目中使用的西洋参的皂苷成分，并评估了其对高脂肪饮食增强 CRC 癌变进展的影响。
口服人参给药（10-20mg/kg/d，长达 32 周）后，实验数据表明，与未治疗的小鼠相比，人参可非常显著地减少小肠（包括近端、中端和远端）和结肠（均 p<0.01）中的肿瘤起始和进展。低剂量人参治疗的小鼠中，肿瘤数量减少更为明显。肿瘤多发性数据得到了体重变化和肠道组织学检查的支持。此外，实时定量聚合酶链反应分析显示，与未治疗组相比，人参可非常显著地降低小肠和结肠中炎症细胞因子的基因表达，包括白细胞介素 1α（IL-1α）、IL-1β、IL-6、肿瘤坏死因子-α、粒细胞集落刺激因子和粒细胞-巨噬细胞集落刺激因子（均 p<0.01）。
需要进一步研究将我们观察到的影响与肠道微生物群将母体人参皂甙转化为生物活性人参代谢物的作用联系起来。我们的数据表明，西洋参可能在 CRC 化学预防方面具有潜在价值。
