Fig. 7.

Effect of ginsenoside Rd on myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13 expression in the colon and gut microbiota population in the feces of mice with ovalbumin (OVA)-induced AR. (A) Effects on (a) myeloperoxidase activity, (b) IL-4, (c) IL-5, (d) IL-13, and (e) TNF-α expression. IL-4, IL-5, and TNF-α levels were measured using ELISA kits. IL-13 level was measured using qPCR. (B) Effects on fecal (a) Firmicutes, (b) Bacteroidetes, (c) Actinobacteria populations, and (d) Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio. Gut microbiota populations were analyzed by qPCR. The control group was treated with vehicle instead of OVA and test agents. Test agents (vehicle or ginsenoside Rd [20 mg/kg/day]) were administered orally daily for 5 days for treating mice with OVA-induced AR. Data are shown as box plots (n = 8). Means with the same letters are not significantly different (p < 0.05).

AR, allergic rhinitis; ELISA, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; IL, interleukin; qPCR, quantitative polymerase chain reaction; TNF-α, tumor necrosis factor-α; Veh, vehicle.