Inhibitory Effect of Korean Red Ginseng Extract on Interleukin-8 Expression in Helicobacter pylori-Infected Gastric Epithelial Cells

摘要

Infection of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a gram-negative bacterium, leads to various gastric diseases, such as gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. H. pylori increases cytokine release and activates inflammatory mediators in gastric mucosa. Particularly, H. pylori upregulates the inflammatory chemokine interleukin-8 (IL-8), which are activated by oxidative stress. IL-8 can cause severe inflammation of the stomach and gastric cancer. Korean red ginseng is the steamed root of 6-year-old Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng Meyer). Ginsenosides, triterpene glycosides, are the active components of Korean red ginseng. Ginsenosides have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor activities. The present study is aimed at determining whether Korean red ginseng extract inhibits H. pylori-induced IL-8 expression in gastric epithelial cells.