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Updated: May 29, 2026
Murine Full-thickness Skin Transplantation
Published on: January 2, 2017
Immunosuppressive effects of ginsenoside-Rd on skin allograft rejection in rats
Li Wang1, Yunxin Zhang, Jiajia Chen
1Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
Background:
Organ transplantation is a life-saving procedure for patients with organ failure. However, the side effects of long-term application of classic immunosuppressant remain major obstacles for successful transplantation. Therefore, new and safe immunosuppressive drugs against acute and chronic rejection are eagerly awaited.
Materials And Methods:
In the present study, we detected the effect of ginsenoside-Rd on mitogen-induced mouse spleen lymphocytes proliferation in vitro and observed the effect of ginsenoside-Rd on allograft rejection in a rat skin transplantation model. Th1/Th2 type cytokines secretion and T-cell subsets were also detected.
Results:
The results showed that ginsenoside-Rd could markedly inhibit Concanavalin A (ConA)-induced mouse spleen T lymphocytes proliferation. Also, ginsenoside-Rd could significantly prolong the mean survival time of skin allograft and improve the skin allograft pathological damage. Furthermore, ginsenoside-Rd could markedly suppress alloantigen-specific production of Th1 cytokines IL-2 and IFN-γ as well as proinflammatory cytokines TNFα and IL-12. In parallel, Th2 cytokine IL-10 production in serum of rat recipients was markedly up-regulated. Ginsenoside-Rd at a dose of 25 mg/kg could significantly reduce the percentages of CD4(+) T cells and CD8(+) T cells in peripheral blood of rat recipients.
Conclusions:
Our results suggest that ginsenoside-Rd can effectively antagonize transplant rejection, which might qualify ginsenoside-Rd as a putative, therapeutic drug for the treatment of Th1-driven diseases, including transplant rejection.
Insights
Ginsenoside-Rd effectively suppresses immune responses, prolonging skin allograft survival in rats. This natural compound shows promise as a novel immunosuppressant for preventing transplant rejection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Pharmacology
- Transplantation Science
Background:
- Organ transplantation is vital but limited by immunosuppressant side effects.
- Novel, safe immunosuppressive drugs are needed for acute and chronic transplant rejection.
- Ginsenoside-Rd is investigated as a potential therapeutic agent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate ginsenoside-Rd's immunosuppressive effects in vitro and in vivo.
- To assess its impact on allograft rejection and immune cell responses.
Main Methods:
- Assessed ginsenoside-Rd's effect on mouse spleen lymphocyte proliferation.
- Utilized a rat skin transplantation model to study allograft rejection.
- Measured Th1/Th2 cytokine secretion and T-cell subsets.
Main Results:
- Ginsenoside-Rd inhibited T lymphocyte proliferation and prolonged skin allograft survival.
- It suppressed Th1 cytokines (IL-2, IFN-γ) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-12).
- Ginsenoside-Rd increased Th2 cytokine IL-10 and reduced CD4+/CD8+ T cells.
Conclusions:
- Ginsenoside-Rd demonstrates significant efficacy in antagonizing transplant rejection.
- It may serve as a therapeutic drug for Th1-driven diseases like transplant rejection.
