The ginsenoside Rd suppresses LPS-induced inflammation and NF-κB activation in colon cancer cells

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease that affecting the gastrointestinal tract. It is associated with elevated levels of various inflammatory mediators, including interleukin (IL)-8. In this study, the inhibitory effects of ginsenoside Rd (G-Rd) were evaluated on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses and the underlying mechanisms in HT-29 human colon epithelial cells. Quantitative PCR was applied to evaluate expression of IL-8, and ELISA was applied to measure the secretion of IL-8. Western blot, EMSA, and IHC were utilized to test regulation of ginsenoside Rd on the NF-kappa B pathway. Our results show that G-Rd significantly suppressed LPS-induced IL-8 mRNA production. Secretion of the IL-8 protein upon LPS stimulation was also attenuated by G-Rd. Furthermore, G-Rd pretreatment could clearly suppress LPS-induced NF-kappa B activity, which accounts for the downregulation of IL-8. These results suggest that G-Rd has potent anti-inflammatory effects on the intestine and can be used to treat IBD.