Ginsenoside Rg1 inhibits the TSLP production in allergic rhinitis mice

Recent study reports that Korean red ginseng reduces the nasal allergic inflammatory reaction in an allergic murine model. However, the contribution of ginsenoside Rg1 (RG1) and its mechanisms on allergic rhinitis (AR) have not been elucidated. In this study, we evaluated the important activities of RG1 in the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AR mice. RG1 significantly reduced the levels of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and interleukin (IL)-1β compared with the AR control mice. Allergic symptom such as rub scores and biomarkers such as spleen weight, histamine, IgE and IgG1 in the RG1 group were decreased compared with the AR mice. The levels of interferon-γ were enhanced while the levels of IL-4 were reduced in the RG1 group. In the RG1 group, the eosinophils and mast cells infiltration increased by OVA were also decreased. RG1 reduced the levels of inflammation-related protein. RG1 inhibited the caspase-1 activity in nasal mucosa tissue. In addition, RG1 inhibited the production of TSLP and IL-1β and the activations of caspase-1, receptor interacting protein 2, IκB kinase-β and nuclear factor-κB/Rel A in activated HMC-1 cells. Our results indicate that RG1 has the inhibitory effect of TSLP production and caspase-1 activity in AR experimental model.