부산대학교 도서관

Background: Hyperactivated airway mucosa cells overproduce mucin and cause severe breathing complications. Here, we aimed to identify the effects of saponins derived from Panax ginseng on inflammationand mucin overproduction. Methods: NCIeH292 cells were pre-incubated with 16 saponins derived from P. ginseng, and mucinoverproduction was induced by treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). Mucin proteinMUC5AC was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and mRNA levels were analyzed usingquantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Moreover, we performed a transcriptome analysis ofPMA-treated NCIeH292 cells in the absence or presence of Rg5, and differential gene expression wasconfirmed using qPCR. Phosphorylation levels of signaling molecules, and the abundance of lipiddroplets, were measured by western blotting, flow cytometry, and confocal microscopy. Results: Ginsenoside Rg5 effectively reduced MUC5AC secretion and decreased MUC5AC mRNA levels. Asystematic functional network analysis revealed that Rg5 upregulated cholesterol and glycerolipidmetabolism, resulting in the production of lipid droplets to clear reactive oxygen species (ROS), andmodulated the mitogen-activated protein kinase and nuclear factor (NF)-kB signaling pathways toregulate inflammatory responses. Rg5 induced the accumulation of lipid droplets and decreased cellularROS levels, and N-acetyl-L-cysteine, a ROS inhibitor, reduced MUC5AC secretion via Rg5. Furthermore,Rg5 hampered the phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38 proteins, affectingthe NF-kB signaling pathway and pro-inflammatory responses. Conclusion: Rg5 alleviated inflammatory responses by reducing mucin secretion and promoting lipiddroplet-mediated ROS clearance. Therefore, Rg5 may have potential as a therapeutic agent to alleviaterespiratory disorders caused by hyperactivation of mucosa cells.