%0 Journal Article
%T Korean Red Ginseng exerts anti-inflammatory and autophagy-promoting activities in aged mice.
%A Kim JK
%A Shin KK
%A Kim H
%A Hong YH
%A Choi W
%A Kwak YS
%A Han CK
%A Hyun SH
%A Cho JY
%J J Ginseng Res
%V 45
%N 6
%D Nov 2021
%M 34764726
%F 5.735
%R 10.1016/j.jgr.2021.03.009
%X <B>BACKGROUND: </B>Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) is a traditional herb that has several beneficial properties including anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and autophagy regulatory effects. However, the mechanisms of these effects are not well understood. In this report, the underlying mechanisms of anti-inflammatory and autophagy-promoting effects were investigated in aged mice treated with KRG-water extract (WE) over a long period.<BR><B>METHODS: </B>The mechanisms of anti-inflammatory and autophagy-promoting activities of KRG-WE were evaluated in kidney, lung, liver, stomach, and colon of aged mice using semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), and western blot analysis.<BR><B>RESULTS: </B>KRG-WE significantly suppressed the mRNA expression levels of inflammation-related genes such as interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and IL-6 in kidney, lung, liver, stomach, and colon of the aged mice. Furthermore, KRG-WE downregulated the expression of transcription factors and their protein levels associated with inflammation in lung and kidney of aged mice. KRG-WE also increased the expression of autophagy-related genes and their protein levels in colon, liver, and stomach.<BR><B>CONCLUSIONS: </B>The results suggest that KRG can suppress inflammatory responses and recover autophagy activity in aged mice.