Ginseng may also be beneficial for those infected with the human immunodeficiency virus; long-term ginseng use has been linked to slowed depletion of CD4 T lymphocytes in such patients [34]. The present study demonstrates that mice and ferrets fed with Red Ginseng could be protected from the lethal challenges of HP H5N1 influenza virus. The results hold out the potential that Red Ginseng may contribute to protecting humans from pandemic influenza virus prior to when the pandemic vaccine or an effective anti-influenza

drug is available. In the event of such a pandemic, an estimated 30% of the global human population would Selleckchem Trametinib be at risk of infection, because most humans do not have prior immunity to pandemic influenza virus. Considering the vast geographic distribution of HP H5N1 influenza virus and its ability to Selleckchem Doxorubicin infect humans, H5N1 influenza virus is a prime candidate as a pandemic cause [35] and [36]. During such an event, daily consumption of Red Ginseng may increase the likelihood of human survival from exposure to a lethal dose of HP H5N1 influenza virus, at least until an effective vaccine becomes available and prophylactic protection can be established. The pandemic vaccine can be developed only after the pandemic virus is available because HP H5N1 influenza virus continuously evolves [37]. In addition, HP H5N1 influenza virus that is resistant to the most used anti-influenza drug, Oseltamivir,

PI-1840 has already emerged [38]. Our results indicate that the underlying mechanism that

feeding of mice and ferrets with Red Ginseng help to increase the survival rate of these animals from the lethal infections of HP H5N1 influenza virus may be due to the enhanced inductions of antiviral cytokines of IFN-α and IFN-γ. It is well established that IFN-α and IFN-γ could inhibit the replication of influenza viruses [39] and [40]. Further studies such as cytokine production, viral titers, and histological pathology in ferrets may be needed to support the immune enhancing effects of Red Ginseng against HP H5N1 influenza virus. At this moment, no commercially available ELISA kits for measuring ferrets’ cytokines at the level of proteins exist. In summary, we studied the effects of Red Ginseng on protective immunity of mice and ferrets against HP H5N1 influenza virus. Our results suggest that taking Red Ginseng daily may contribute to protecting humans from the lethal infections of HP H5N1 influenza virus in the event of a pandemic by HP H5N1 influenza virus. All authors declare no conflicts of interest. This work is supported by the Korean Ginseng Co. A scientific editor from Editage edited this manuscript. “
“Ginseng, the root of Panax ginseng Meyer, is one of the most popular traditional herbal medicines. It has been used for thousands of years in Asian countries, and has also recently become popular in Western countries.