RG-II from Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer suppresses asthmatic

2 immune response by using an ovalbumin-induced murine model of asthma. RG-II reduced IL-4 production but increased inter-feron-gamma production, and inhibited GATA-3 gene expression. RG-II also inhibited asthmatic reactions including an increase in the number of eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, an increase in inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissues, airway luminal narrowing, and airway hyperres-ponsiveness. This study provides evidence that RG-II plays a critical role in ameliorating the pathogenic process of asthmatic inflammation in mice. These findings provide new insights into the immunotherapeutic role of RG-II in terms of its effects in a murine model of asthma. [BMB reports 2012; 45(2): 79-84]