Protopanaxatriol (PPT)

Protopanaxatriol (PPT) is an organic compound characterizing a group of ginsenosides. It is a dammarane-type tetracyclic triterpene sapogenins found in ginseng (Panax ginseng) and in notoginseng (Panax pseudoginseng). Ginsenosides from Panax ginseng are metabolized by human intestinal bacteria after oral administration of ginseng extract. 20(S)-Protopanaxatriol (PPT) is one of the major metabolites of ginsenosides. Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) are important enzymes that mediate inflammatory processes. Improper up-regulation of iNOS and/or COX-2 has been associated with the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases and certain types of human cancers. PPT blocked the increase in LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 expressions through inactivation of nuclear factor-kappaB by preventing I-kappaBalpha phosphorylation and degradation.