Gastroprotective effects of the non-saponin fraction of Korean red ginseng through COX-1 upregulation

Abstract Background Korean red ginseng (KRG) is known to exhibit immune-enhancing and anti-inflammatory properties. The immune-enhancing effects of the non-saponin fraction of Korean red ginseng (NSF) have been studied in many reports. However, the gastroprotective effect of this fraction are not fully understood. In this study, we demonstrate the activities of NSF for gastrointestinal protection and its related critical factor. Methods The in vitro and in vivo regulatory functions of NSF on cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) mRNA and protein levels were examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting analyses. Gastroprotective effects of NSF were investigated by histological score, gastric juice pH, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity on indomethacin-, cold stress-, and acetylsalicylic acid-induced gastritis and dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis in in vivo mouse models. Results NSF did not show cytotoxicity, and it increased COX-1 mRNA expression and protein levels in RAW264.7 cells. This upregulation was also observed in colitis and gastritis in vivo models. In addition, NSF treatment in mice ameliorated the symptoms of gastrointestinal inflammation, including histological score, colon length, gastric juice pH, gastric wall thickness, and MPO activity. Conclusion These results suggest that NSF has gastroprotective effects on gastritis and colitis in in vivo mouse models through COX-1 upregulation.