The ginsenoside metabolite compound K exerts its anti-inflammatory activity by downregulating memory B cell in adjuvant-induced arthritis. (2nd July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chen, Jingyu; Wang, Qingtong; Wu, Huaxun; Liu, Kangkang; Wu, Yujing; Chang, Yan; Wei, Wei
• Is Part Of: Pharmaceutical biology. Volume 54:Number 7(2016:Jul.)
• Page Start: 1280
• Page End: 1288
• Publication Date: 2016-07-02
• Subjects: Autoimmune -- inflammation -- triterpene saponins; Pharmacognosy -- Periodicals; Materia medica, Vegetable -- Periodicals; 615.321
• DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2015.1074254
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1388-0209

Abstract

Abstract: Context: Compound K (CK, 20- O -d -glucopyranosyl-20( S )-protopanaxadiol), a novel ginsenoside metabolite, is structurally a member of the dammarane-type triterpene saponins. Several studies have identified the anti-inflammatory activity of CK. Our previous study demonstrated that CK exerted its anti-inflammatory effect via inhibition of abnormal activation and differentiation of T cells. However, its mechanism of action on B cells remains unclear. Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the effect and underlying mechanisms of CK's effects on memory B cells in the setting of adjuvant-arthritis (AA). Materials and methods: Complete Freund's adjuvant was used to induce AA in rats. Rats were administered, either CK (10, 40, and 160 mg/kg), once daily for 15 d, or methotrexate (MTX; 0.5 mg/kg) once every 3 d, for a total of six times. To evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of CK, a global assessment and a swollen joint count of AA rats were performed every 3 d. Spleen index and histopathology were examined. Subsets of B cells including CD45R + IgM + (total B cells) and CD45R + CD27 + (memory B cells) and expression of CD40 and CD40L were assayed by flow cytometry. Results: Compared with the AA rats, global assessment scores and swollen joint counts were significantly lower in the treated groups received CK (40 and 160 mg/kg; p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). CK (40 and 160 mg/kg) decreased the spleen index ( p < 0.01), and alleviated hyperplasia of lymph nodes ( p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) and marginal zone ( p < 0.05) in the spleen. In addition, CK (40 and 160 mg/kg) suppressed memory B cell subsets ( p < 0.05), and suppressed CD40L expression on T cells and CD40 expression on B cells ( p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Discussion and conclusion: This study demonstrated that CK downregulated memory B cells in AA rats, and this down-regulation may be T-cell dependent.