Immunomodulating activity of CVT-E002, a proprietary extract from North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium)

The activity of CVT-E002, an aqueous extract containing mainly oligosacchar ides and polysaccharides from North American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium), as an immunobooster on murine spleen cells and peritoneal macrophages, was studied in-vitro. CVT-E002 stimulated the proliferation of normal mouse sp leen cells, of which the major responding subpopulation was identified as B lymphocytes. CVT-E002 also activated peritoneal exudate macrophages leadin g to enhanced interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis f actor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and nitric oxide (NO) production. In addition, CVT- E002 stimulated in-vivo immunoglobulin G (IgG) production in treated mice. These results identify some of the immunomodulating activities of CVT-E002 and suggest its use clinically for the modulation of immune responses.