Effects of selected ginsenosides on phorbol ester-induced expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and activation of NF-kappaB and ERK1/2 in mouse skin.

Our previous studies have demonstrated that the methanol extract of heat-processed Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer exerts antioxidative, antiinflammatory, and anti-tumor-promoting effects. In the present study, we examined the antiinflammatory effects of several ginsenosides (Rb(1), Rc, Re, Rg(1), Rg(3)) derived from P. ginseng. Topical application of each of these ginsenosides significantly attenuated ear edema induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). These ginsenosides also suppressed expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and activation of NF-kappaB in the TPA-treated dorsal skin of mice. Of the ginsenosides tested, Rg(3) was found to be most effective in terms of inhibiting TPA-induced ear edema, COX-2 expression, and NF-kappaB activation.