Ginseng-derived extracellular vesicles alleviate ulcerative colitis by regulating macrophage glycolytic reprogramming and H3K18la-mediated epigenetic modification.

What To Know

The paper describes isolation and characterization of ginseng-derived extracellular vesicles (GEs) and tests them in DSS-induced colitis mice plus cell-culture experiments with macrophages and intestinal epithelial cells. Single-cell RNA sequencing was used to profile changes in colonic immune cells after treatment.

In vitro work showed GEs were taken up by macrophages and reduced markers of glycolysis and pro-inflammatory polarization; the authors link effects to decreased histone H3K18 lactylation at specific pro-inflammatory gene promoters. Gut microbiota composition and short-chain fatty acids were also reported to shift after GE treatment.

This is a preclinical, mechanistic study (mouse model and cell experiments). It is an experimental proof-of-concept that suggests GEs could modulate immune metabolism and microbiota in ways that reduce colitis-like inflammation, but it does not provide clinical safety or efficacy data in people.