The Effect of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) on Rhinovirus Infection in Human Nasal Epithelial Cells

Background: Korean red ginseng (KRG) is reported to have anti-allergic properties, including beneficial effects on asthma and atopic dermatitis. However, its effect on allergic rhinitis and rhinovirus infection has not been studied extensively. This study examined whether KRG affected rhinovirus infection in human nasal epithelial cells.

Methods: Primary human nasal epithelial cells were obtained by digesting inferior turbinate mucosa removed from patients during turbinoplasty. After nasal epithelials cell were cultured, cells were infected with rhinovirus serotype 16 (RV-16).  To confirm preventive and therapeutic effect of KRG on rhinovirus infection, 50, 100mg/ml of KRG were administered to cultured nasal epithelial cells before and after rhinovirus infection provoked. The morphology of nasal epitherlial cells was checked.  

Results: The morphology of nasal epithelial cells were changed after rhinovirus infection. The degree of morphologic change were decreased by KRG treatment in both group (treatment for before and after rhinovirus infection), however, the nasal epithelial cells were less changed by KRG administration after rhinovirus infection.

Conclusions: KRG have preventive and therapeutic effect in human nasal epithelial cells