Ginsenosides from Korean red ginseng modulate T cell function via the regulation of NF-AT-mediated IL-2 production.

Korean red ginseng is a traditional health food frequently used to prevent or treat various diseases worldwide. In this study, we evaluated the immunomodulatory activities of eleven compounds () isolated from Korean red ginseng, focusing on T cell function. First, the effects of the eleven compounds were studied on the regulation of IL-2, a potent T cell growth factor. Compounds , , and significantly increased IL-2 secretion in phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)/ionomycin (Io)-induced EL-4 T cells. Next, we examined the effects of compounds , , and on the regulation of transcription factors related to IL-2 production in T cells. Compound significantly increased the PMA/Io-induced promoter activity of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT) in EL-4 T cells, but did not have any significant effects on the promoters of NF- κB. These results suggest that compound activates T cell function via the regulation of NF-AT-mediated IL-2 production.