Synergistic effect of Korean red ginseng extract and GABA mixture on the IgE production in mice via Th1/Th2 cell balance

It has been recently reported that the immune system has been linked to the nervous system. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of administration of two components, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and Panax ginseng Meyer (GIN), on the production of IgE and Th1-Th2 dominant cytokines. Antibody and inflammatory mediator levels in serum, and the cytokines secreted to spleen cells of ovalbumin (OVA) immunized mice were analyzed. The group of GABA and GIN mixture significantly reduced IgE level and dramatically increased OVA-IgG2a antibody production. In addition, rising effect on IFN-gamma and GM-CSF levels related to Th1 cytokine was observed only in the group of GABA + GIN. The mixture alleviated allergic symptoms by reducing the level of histamine and prostaglandin. These studies suggest that GIN + GABA administration in the allergen-induced mouse model may regulate the Th1-Th2 balance by strongly acting on the immune response associated with Th1.