Ginseng radix induces apoptosis in HL-60 cells and its mechanism as little relation with TNF-α production

Ginseng radix, the root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae), is a medicinal plant used world-widely and has been reported to have various biological effects. To investigate the effects of Ginseng radix on HL-60 cell apoptosis, MTT assay, DNA fragmentation assay and flow cytometry were performed on HL-60 cells. Cells were treated with Ginseng radix at different concentrations . Ginseng radix significantly induced cells apoptosis with a time- and dose-dependent manner. To determine whether Ginseng radix-induced apoptosis is due to increase of tumor necrosis factor secretion, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed on HL-60 cells. Unexpectedly, Ginseng radix significantly decreased the secretion compared with control . Furthermore, Ginseng radix with synergistically increased nitric oxide production in mouse peritoneal macrophages. Taken together, our data indicate that Ginseng radix induce apoptosis on HL-60 cells without increase of secretion and could be used for a supplementary remedy of cancer.