1 Anti-tumor Promotional Effects of a Novel Intestinal Bacterial Metabolite (IH-901) Derived from the Protopanaxadiol Type Ginsenosides in Mouse Skin

D ow nloaded from 2 Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that ginseng intake decreases the risk of cancer. Ginseng saponins (ginsenosides) have been regarded as principal components responsible for the majority of pharmacological activities exerted by ginseng. IH-901 [20-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol], an intestinal bacterial metabolite derived from protopanaxadiol type saponins of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, has been reported to possess anti-tumor effects, including inhibition of invasion, metastasis and angiogenesis and induction of tumor cell apoptosis. Tumor promotion often accompanies an elevated ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity, acute inflammation, and induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) activity. Here we examined the effects of IH-901 on tumor promotion and related molecular events in mouse skin in vivo. IH