Anti-complementary Ginsenosides Isolated from Processed Ginseng

As part of an ongoing search for immunomodulatory components aimed at the anti-complementary effect, ginsenosides isolated from processed ginseng were found to have inhibitory activity on complement activation through classical pathways. Activity-guided fractionation was used to isolate four ginsenosides, namely ginsenoside Rg(6), F-4, Rk(3), and Rh-4. Ginsenoside Rk(3), and Rh-4 had a 3 fold higher inhibition activity than rosmarinic acid which was used as a positive control while ginsenoside Rg(6) and F-4 showed only mild effects similar to that of the positive control. The results suggest that the activity of the corresponding ginsenosides may be increased by the glycosyl moiety at the C-6 position rather than the double bond conformation at C-20, and ginsenoside Rk(3) and Rh-4 could have a role in treating inflammatory diseases.