Red ginseng and vitamin C increase immune cell activity and decrease lung inflammation induced by influenza A...

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Virology
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Red ginseng and vitamin C possess known immunomodulatory and antiviral properties.
• Investigating synergistic effects of these compounds on immune response and viral suppression is warranted.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if red ginseng and vitamin C synergistically enhance immune cell function.
• To assess the combined effect of red ginseng and vitamin C in suppressing viral infection.

Main Methods:

• Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and KSHV-infected BCBL-1 cells were treated with red ginseng and vitamin C.
• Gulo(-/-) mice, unable to synthesize vitamin C, were administered red ginseng and vitamin C, with or without influenza A virus/H1N1 infection.

Main Results:

• Red ginseng and vitamin C increased CD25 and CD69 expression on PBMCs and natural killer (NK) cells.
• Co-treatment reduced cell viability and lytic gene expression in KSHV-infected cells.
• In mice, supplementation enhanced NKp46 expression and interferon-γ production, reducing influenza-induced lung inflammation and increasing survival.

Conclusions:

• Red ginseng and vitamin C administration enhance T and NK cell activation.
• These compounds repress viral lytic cycle progression and mitigate viral-induced lung inflammation.
• Supplementation with red ginseng and vitamin C increases survival rates during viral infections.