Red ginseng extracts as an adjunctive therapeutic for gout: preclinical and clinical evidence

We investigated if Red ginseng extract (RGE) suppressed monosodium urate crystal (MSU)-induced NLRP3 activation and could be a potential therapeutic agent for gout. The effects of RGE on acute gouty inflammation were investigated using the air-pouch model. RGE significantly suppressed acute gout inflammation in the air-pouch model, based on the decreased number of WBCs in the air-pouch lavage fluid. In vitro, RGE inhibited MSU-induced IL-1β production in THP-1 cells. Twenty-four gout patients in intercritical period were randomized either to red ginseng tablet (RGT) or placebo group. The assembly of NLRP3 inflammasomes was inhibited via reduced ASC expression and oligomerization. Patients taking RGT for 3 months showed significantly reduced NLRP3 expression compared to baseline. In conclusion, RGE suppressed acute gout inflammation by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasomes in animal models. Clinically, RGT suppressed NLRP3 expression in gout patients. The data suggest that red ginseng may exert an additive benefit in gout treatment.