Isolation of saponin-free fraction from Ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) and its effects on the function of neutrophils

A method of isolation of bioactive water-soluble saponin-free subfraction (RG-ws-1-1-1) from Korean red ginseng using solvent extraction, ultrafiltration and chromatography on Diaion HP-20 resin was developed. To evaluate the potency of RG-ws-1-1-1 to effect on the heat stress (HS) response and anti-inflammatory response in neutrophils, the oxygen consumption (OC) and formation of Superoxide radicals (FSR) were assayed in suspensions of neutrophils from mice. Supplementation of RG-ws-1-1-1 to micein vivo (200 mg/kg, 14 days intraperitoneally) results in the increase OC by neutrophils assayedex vivo at 37 ℴC. OC and FSR by neutrophils were suppressed when cells obtained from the control animals were incubated at 42 ℴC. Preincubation of neutrophils with RG-ws-1-1-1 reduces HS related depression of FSR. Supplementation of RG-ws-1-1-1 to micein vivo decreases HS related suppression of OC. RG-ws-1-1-1 subfraction significantly improves an oxygen-dependent anti-microbial function of neutrophils, also studied under the HS conditions.