Effect of red ginseng oil on cultured sebocytes and outer root sheath cells after treatment with lipopolysaccharide

Background: Ginseng has been known in Korea as a health-supportive herbal medicine from time immemorial. Essential oil isolated from fresh ginseng has been shown to display antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities. Objective: The effects of red ginseng oil (RGO) on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated sebocytes and outer root sheath (ORS) cells were studied. Methods: The cultured cells were treated with either 0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide, 5 μg/ml LPS, 50 μg/ml RGO, or 5 μg/ml LPS plus 50 μg/ml RGO for 6 and 24 hours. RT-PCR, real-time PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blot, and immunofluorescence staining were performed for the analysis of inflammatory cytokine. Results: RGO showed the increased gene and protein expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α in the LPS-treated sebocytes and ORS cells. RGO also showed the increased protein expression of p-c-jun and p-JNK in the LPS-treated sebocytes and ORS cells. Gene expression of TLR2 was increased in LPS-treated sebocytes following treatment with RGO. Additionally, RGO resulted in an increased expression of LL-37 in the LPS-treated sebocytes and ORS cells. Moreover, it remarkably increased the production of sebum in LPS-treated sebocytes. Conclusion: RGO might be among the aggravating factors of acne vulgaris. It would be better to stop taking red ginseng in patients with inflammatory acne.