Anti-Fatigue and Immune-Enhancing Activity of Panax Ginseng Polysaccharides

Introduction Ginseng ( Rénshēn, Panax ginseng C.A. Mey.)​ is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine with widely recognized benefit in enhancing vital energy and immune function. In this study, we evaluated the anti-fatigue and immune-enhancing activity of ginseng polysaccharides using zebrafish models, aiming to confirm the reproducibility of the bioactivities of ginseng extracts produced through a carefully designed manufacturing process. Methods Three ginseng extracts, ginseng water extract (GWE), crude ginseng polysaccharides (CGP), and acidic ginseng polysaccharides (AGP) were prepared. Their chemical composition, antioxidant activities via scavenging capacity towards hydroxyl and superoxide radicals, and anti-fatigue and immune-enhancing activities via zebrafish models were subsequently evaluated. Results All three ginseng extracts showed strong antioxidant activity in hydroxyl radical scavenging in vitro and displayed anti-fatigue activity by significantly increasing the larvae movement, accelerating the elimination of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lactate, and promoting ATP production under hypoxia conditions. The anti-fatigue effect of AGP was higher than GWE and CGP in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, all three ginseng extracts presented similar immune enhancing effects by recovering the number of neutrophils, T-cells, and macrophages from the vinorelbine induced immune deficiency in zebrafish larvae. Discussion The present findings confirm that Panax ginseng water extract exhibits both antifatigue and immune-enhancing activities. Polysaccharide-enriched fractions, especially the acidic polysaccharides, are likely the primary bioactive components responsible for these effects based on their consistent bioactivity, acidic polysaccharides are proposed as a potential quality marker for the standardization of Panax ginseng water extract preparations.