Effects of Fermented Ginseng Extracts on Tumor Metastasis in Mice

Abstract

This study was demonstrated that the fermentation of gingseng increases its biological activities, by comparing the anti-tumor and immunostimulating activities of fermented gingseng extracts (FginE) with those of non-fermented ginseng (GinE). In the experimental lung metastasis of colon26-M3.1 carcinoma, the intraperitoneal (i.p.) or peroral (p.o.) administration of FginE showed stronger anti-tumor metastatic activities than those of GinE. When stimulating 2 kinds of extract on macrophages, FginE was shown to have a higher production of interleukin (IL)-12 than GinE. In addition, treatment with FginE induced tumoricidal activity of peritoneal macrophages against colon26-M3.1 cells. When Peyer's patch was co-cultured with FginE, the proliferation of these cells and granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GMCSF) production were induced. In an assay for natural killer (NK) cell activity, an i.p. administration of FginE significantly augmented NK cytotoxicity against Yac-1 tumor cells. Fermented ginseng extracts promotes antitumor activities to inhibit tumor metastasis, and its antitumor effects are associated with the enhancement of systemic as well as mucosal immune systems.