Korean red ginseng (KRG) is reported to have
anti-allergic properties, including beneficial effects on
asthma and
atopic dermatitis. However, its effect on
allergic rhinitis has not been studied extensively. This study examined how KRG affected allergic
inflammation of the nasal cavity in an allergic mouse model. A total of 40 Balb/c female mice were divided into four experimental groups according to treatment and allergic state: group 1 (G1), saline only; group 2 (G2),
ovalbumin (OVA); group 3 (G3), OVA+KRG; and group 4 (G4), OVA+dexamethasone. Serum
IgE levels were significantly lower in the KRG treatment group (G3) than in the allergic group (G2). However, serum
IgG1 levels did not differ between G2 and G3. In the nasal lavage fluid,
IL-4 and
IL-5 levels were significantly lower in G3 than in G2 (p<0.05). H&E and Luna staining revealed that the eosinophil count was lower in G3 and G4 than in G2 (p<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining revealed that there were fewer IL-4-, IL- 5-, and MUC5AC-positive cells in G3 and G4 than in G2 (p<0.05). These results indicate that KRG reduces the nasal allergic inflammatory reaction in an allergic murine model by reducing Th2
cytokines.