Korean Red Ginseng mitigates spinal demyelination in a model of acute multiple sclerosis by downregulating p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor-κB signaling pathways.

BACKGROUND

The potential therapeutic values of Korean Red Ginseng extract (KRGE) in autoimmune disorders of nervous system have not been fully investigated.

METHODS

We used an acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis animal model of multiple sclerosis and determined the effects and mechanism of KRGE on spinal myelination.

RESULTS

Pretreatment with KRGE (100 mg/kg, orally) for 10 days before immunization with myelin basic protein (MBP) peptide exerted a protective effect against demyelination in the spinal cord, with inhibited recruitment and activation of immune cells including microglia, decreased mRNA expression of detrimental inflammatory mediators (interleukin-6, interferon-γ, and cyclooxygenase-2), but increased mRNA expression of protective inflammatory mediators (insulin-like growth factor β1, transforming growth factor β, and vascular endothelial growth factor-1). These results were associated with significant downregulation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor-κB signaling pathways in microglia/macrophages, T cells, and astrocytes.

CONCLUSION

Our findings suggest that KRGE alleviates spinal demyelination in acute experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis through inhibiting the activation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase/nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway. Therefore, KRGE might be used as a new therapeutic for autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis, although further investigation is needed.