Dammarane triterpenes from the leaves of Panax ginseng enhance cellular immunity

Three dammarane triterpenes (1-3) including two new compounds (1) and (2) were isolated from a methanol extract of Panax ginseng leaves. Compounds 1-3 significantly increased interleukin-12 expression in LPS-activated mouse peritoneal macrophage. Furthermore, compound 1 strongly increased the Th1 response-mediated cytokine IL-2 and decreased Th2 response-mediated cytokines IL-4 and IL-6 expression.