Korean Red Ginseng Relieves Inflammation and Modulates Immune Response Induced by Pseudo-Type SARS-CoV-2

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Pharmacology
• Virology

Background:

• Limited research exists on Korean red ginseng (KRG) efficacy against SARS-CoV-2.
• KRG demonstrates known benefits for viral infections and pulmonary inflammation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the therapeutic effects of KRG-water extract (KRG-WE) in a pseudo-type SARS-CoV-2 (PSV)-induced lung injury model.
• To evaluate KRG-WE's impact on immune cell populations and inflammatory pathways.

Main Methods:

• KRG-WE was administered orally to human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) transgenic mice for six weeks.
• Mice were infected with PSV via intranasal injection, and effects were analyzed at 7 days post-infection using PCR, western blot, flow cytometry, and ELISA.

Main Results:

• KRG-WE significantly inhibited PSV-induced immunoglobulin increase.
• It suppressed alveolar macrophages (AMs), normalized other immune cells, and downregulated viral gene expression and inflammatory signals (NF-κB).
• KRG-WE also normalized gene expression and protein activity in the spleen, reducing lung damage.

Conclusions:

• KRG-WE exhibits anti-inflammatory effects by reducing AMs and inflammatory gene expression.
• It normalizes immune responses and attenuates lung damage in a PSV-induced lung injury model.
• KRG-WE shows therapeutic potential for managing SARS-CoV-2-related lung injury.