Abstract
Background:
Ginseng has been known in Korea as a health-supportive herbal medicine from time immemorial. Essential oil isolated from fresh ginseng has been shown to display antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities.
Objective:
The effects of red ginseng oil (RGO) on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated sebocytes and outer root sheath (ORS) cells were studied.
Methods:
The cultured cells were treated with either 0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide, 5 µg/ml LPS, 50 µg/ml RGO, or 5 µg/ml LPS plus 50 µg/ml RGO for 6 and 24 hours. RT-PCR, real-time PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blot, and immunofluorescence staining were performed for the analysis of inflammatory cytokine.
Results:
RGO showed the increased gene and protein expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α in the LPS-treated sebocytes and ORS cells. RGO also showed the increased protein expression of p-c-jun and p-JNK in the LPS-treated sebocytes and ORS cells. Gene expression of TLR2 was increased in LPS-treated sebocytes following treatment with RGO. Additionally, RGO resulted in an increased expression of LL-37 in the LPS-treated sebocytes and ORS cells. Moreover, it remarkably increased the production of sebum in LPS-treated sebocytes.
Conclusion:
RGO might be among the aggravating factors of acne vulgaris. It would be better to stop taking red ginseng in patients with inflammatory acne.
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