Ginsenoside Rg3 inhibits tumor necrosis factor-α-induced expression of cell adhesion molecules in human endothelial cells

Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3), one of the most effective ginseng saponins, has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. This study examined the effects of Rg3 on cytokine-induced expression of adhesion molecules, which is a key early event in atherogenesis. Rg3 treatment inhibited tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced protein and mRNA expression of two cell adhesion molecules, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in ECV 304 human endothelial cells. In addition, expression of two pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and interleukin-1β (IL-1β), was suppressed by Rg3. Reporter gene analyses revealed that minimal reporter activities of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) were blocked by Rg3 in a concentration-dependent manner. Taken together, these results indicate that Rg3 may have anti-inflammatory and anti-atherosclerotic activities in the vasculature, which is mediated partly by down-regulation of the expression of cell adhesion molecules and proinflammatory cytokines in endothelial cells.