The Non-Saponin Fraction Of Korean Red Ginseng Prevents Sarcopenia By Maintaining Immune Homeostasis In Old C57BL/6J Mice

Abstract

Background The non-saponin fraction (NSF) of Korean red ginseng is a powder in which saponin is eliminated from red ginseng concentrate by fractionation. In this study, we investigated the effect of NSF on age-associated sarcopenia in old C57BL/6J mice. Young (3–6-month-old) and old (20–24-month-old) C57BL/6J mice were orally administered NSF (50 or 200 mg/kg/day) every day for 6 weeks. Throughout the oral treatment period, body weight and grip strength were assessed once a week. After sacrifice, hindlimb muscles were cut out and used for western blotting and hematoxylin and eosin staining to examine the impacts of NSF on sarcopenia and inflammation/oxidative stress. Flow cytometry analysis was conducted to investigate the effect of NSF on immune homeostasis. Blood samples were collected, and the serum levels of insulin-like growth factor 1, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and glutathione were measured. NSF significantly increased muscle strength, mass, and fiber size in old mice. NSF recovered age-associated disturbance of immune homeostasis by retaining CD11b+F4/80+ macrophages and regulating inflammatory biomarkers. NSF also inhibited the age-induced expression of oxidative stress factors. Thus, NSF diminished conventional low-grade chronic inflammatory/oxidative factors, which are the major source of sarcopenia. effects in aged C57BL/6J mice. NSF is a promising restorative agent that could be used to improve sarcopenia in the elderly.