Evaluation of wound healing effects of ginsenoside Rg1 and red ginseng extract in STZ-induced diabetic wound model: an in vivo pilot study

Red ginseng is an immune-enhancing compound that exhibits anti-inflammatory action. The ginsenoside Rg1, an ingredient of red ginseng, has been shown to play an important role in tumor suppression, wound healing, and angiogenesis. This study evaluated the effects of red ginseng extract and Rg1 in a diabetic wound model. Diabetes was induced with streptozotocin (STZ) in 8-week-old male Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice weighing 30–35 g. A full-thickness skin defect was treated by applying a dressing every 3 days. The mice were divided into three groups. Group 1 was administered an extract of red ginseng (10 mg/kg/d, n = 27, oral) and group 2 was administered Rg1 (10 mg/kg/d, n = 27, oral). Group 3 was a control group treated with phosphate-buffered saline (0.3 mL/kg/d, n = 27, oral). Red ginseng extract and Rg1 were orally administered to mice daily for 10 days following injury in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Both increased mRNA and protein levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 compared to controls. In addition, the wounds of animals in the Rg1 group were significantly smaller between days 7 and 10 ( p < 0.05). VEGF and TGF-β1 were not expressed in diabetic mice in the control group. Both red ginseng extract and Rg1 promoted the production of VEGF and TGF-β1, which are important in wound healing. Our results for Rg1 suggest its potential to promote diabetic wound healing by stimulating the production or activity of VEGF and TGF-β1 factors involved in the wound healing process.