What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the ability of ginseng leaf extract to enhance IL-2 cytokine production and assess its phenolic, flavonoid, and antioxidant properties.

May 9, 2026Open Access

The Immunotherapeutic Potential of Ginseng Bugis (Talinum paniculatum (Jacq.) Gaernt.) Leaf Ethanol Extract Through Enhanced IL-2 Cytokine Production

Key Points

To evaluate the ability of ginseng leaf extract to enhance IL-2 cytokine production and assess its phenolic, flavonoid, and antioxidant properties.
Subjects were Wistar rats divided into four groups: control, ovalbumin induction, and two extract treatment groups (0.4 g/kg and 0.8 g/kg).
IL-2 levels were measured using ELISA, while phenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant activity were assessed with UV spectrophotometry.
Comparison of IL-2 serum levels across different groups for efficacy assessment.
IL-2 levels were significantly higher in extract treatment groups (0.4 g/kg: 364 ng/ml; 0.8 g/kg: 717.33 ng/ml) compared to the control (250.67 ng/ml).
Phenolic content was 13.08784 mg GAE/g and flavonoids were 2.5734 mg QE/g.
The extract exhibited strong antioxidant potential with an IC50 value of 50.87.

Abstract

Ginseng Leaf (Talinum paniculatum (Jacq.) Gaernt.) is a widely used plant. It is often used as an herbal supplement to improve health due to its content of flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, and polyphenols. Therefore, the objectives of this study are to examine the ability of ginseng leaf extract to increase IL-2 cytokines stimulated by ovalbumin antigen, to evaluate the phenolic and flavonoid content, and to assess the antioxidant activity. The subjects were Wistar rats categorized into four distinct groups. Group I served as the control group. Group II was subjected solely to ovalbumin induction, whereas Groups III and IV were subjected to antigen induction and subsequently treated with extract at dosages of 0.4 g/kg and 0.8 g/kg, respectively. Serum levels were measured using an ELISA reader, while phenolic, flavonoid, and antioxidant potentials were determined using a UV spectrophotometer. The results show that the IL-2 level in the extract groups at doses of 0.4 g/kg (364 ng/ml) and 0.8 g/kg (717.33 ng/ml) is higher than in the group stimulated by ovalbumin antigen without extract (250.67 ng/ml). The phenolic content amounted to 13.08784 mg GAE/g and flavonoids to 2.5734 mg QE/g and the extract showed strong antioxidant potential with an IC50 value of 50.87. In conclusion, ginseng leaf extract has immunotherapeutic potential and provides cellular protection against oxidative stress.

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