Does Panax notoginseng (Sanqi) inhibit H22 tumor growth via improving the host’s cellular immunity?

Abstract

Ginsenoside Rg3 has many functions, including anti-tumor activity, antioxidant activity, and immune system modulatory activity. Interestingly, There are two stereoisomers exist in Rg3, 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg3 [20(S)-Rg3] and 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 [20(R)-Rg3], respectively. These two isomers have different pharmacological effects due to their stereospecificity. In this study, we compared their effect of stimulating the ConA to induce lymphocyte proliferation and increase the cytokines IL-2 and IFN-γ levels in mice and improve the cellular immunity of the host. The study predicted that ginsenoside (Rg3) could increase Th1-type cytokines interleukin-2 and interferon-γ and stimulate ConA-induced lymphocyte proliferation in mice, thereby improving cellular immunity in H22 mice. The effects of the Rg3 R-form were significantly greater than Rg3 S-form.