Effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on hematopoietic stem cells in treating aplastic anemia in mice via MAPK pathway

BACKGROUND Aplastic anemia(AA)presents a significant clinical challenge as a life-threatening condition due to failure to produce essential blood cells,with the current the-rapeutic options being notably limited.AIM To assess the therapeutic potential of ginsenoside Rg1 on AA,specifically its protective effects,while elucidating the mechanism at play.METHODS We employed a model of myelosuppression induced by cyclophosphamide(CTX)in C57 mice,followed by administration of ginsenoside Rg1 over 13 d.The invest-igation included examining the bone marrow,thymus and spleen for pathological changes via hematoxylin-eosin staining.Moreover,orbital blood of mice was collected for blood routine examinations.Flow cytometry was employed to identify the impact of ginsenoside Rg1 on cell apoptosis and cycle in the bone marrow of AA mice.Additionally,the study further evaluated cytokine levels with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and analyzed the expression of key proteins in the MAPK signaling pathway via western blot.RESULTS Administration of CTX led to significant damage to the bone marrow’s structural integrity and a reduction in hematopoietic cells,establishing a model of AA.Ginsenoside Rg1 successfully reversed hematopoietic dysfunction in AA mice.In comparison to the AA group,ginsenoside Rg1 provided relief by reducing the induction of cell apoptosis and inflammation factors caused by CTX.Furthermore,it helped alleviate the blockade in the cell cycle.Treatment with ginsenoside Rg1 significantly alleviated myelosuppression in mice by inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway.CONCLUSION This study suggested that ginsenoside Rg1 addresses AA by alleviating myelosuppression,primarily through modulating the MAPK signaling pathway,which paves the way for a novel therapeutic strategy in treating AA,highlighting the potential of ginsenoside Rg1 as a beneficial intervention.

Ginsenoside Rg5 enhances the radiosensitivity of lung adenocarcinoma via reducing HSP90-CDC37 interaction and promoting client protein degradation

Ginsenoside Rg5 is a rare ginsenoside showing promising tumor-suppressive effects.This study aimed to explore its radio-sensitizing effects and the underlying mechanisms.Human lung adenocarcinoma cell lines A549 and Calu-3 were used for in vitro and in vivo analysis.Bioinformatic molecular docking prediction and following validation by surface plasmon resonance(SPR)technology,cellular thermal shift assay(CETSA),and isothermal titration calorimetry(ITC)were conducted to explore the binding between ginsenoside Rg5 and 90 kD heat shock protein alpha(HSP90a).The effects of ginsenoside Rg5 on HSP90-cell division cycle 37(CDC37)interaction,the client protein stability,and the downstream regulations were further explored.Results showed that ginsenoside Rg5 could induce cell-cycle arrest at the G1 phase and enhance irradiationinduced cell apoptosis.It could bind to HSP90a with a high affinity,but the affinity was drastically decreased by HSP90a Y61A mutation.Co-immunoprecipitation(Co-IP)and ITC assays confirmed that ginsenoside Rg5 disrupts the HSP90-CDC37 interaction in a dose-dependent manner.It reduced irradiation-induced upregulation of the HSP90-CDC37 client proteins,including SRC,CDK4,RAF1,and ULK1 in A549 cell-derived xenograft(CDX)tumors.Ginsenoside Rg5 or MRT67307(an IKKε/TBK1 inhibitor)pretreatment suppressed irradiation-induced elevation of the LC3-II/b ratio and restored irradiation-induced downregulation of p62 expression.In A549 CDX tumors,ginsenoside Rg5 treatment suppressed LC3 expression and enhanced irradiation-induced DNA damage.In conclusion,ginsenoside Rg5 may be a potential radiosensitizer for lung adenocarcinoma.It interacts with HSP90a and reduces the binding between HSP90 and CDC37,thereby increasing the ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation of the HSP90-CDC37 client proteins.

Ginsenoside Rg1 protects against ischemia-induced neuron damage by regulating the rno-miRNA-27a-3p/PPARγaxis

A preliminary miRNA screening showed that expression levels of rno-miRNA-27a-3p were significantly increased in the serum and brain tissues of rats undergoing cerebral ischemia.In recent years,there is evidence of the protective capacity of the saponins extracted from panax ginseng and its primary active ingredient ginsenosideRg1oncerebral ischemic injury.Methods:Fetal rat neurons(FRNs)were cultured in glucose-and-serumfree medium and exposed to hypoxia to establish a cerebral ischemia model in vitro(oxygen and glucose deprivation model,OGD).Antioxidant indexes(CAT,SOD),inflammatory markers(MPO,TNF-αand IL-6),and the expression of apoptosis and proliferation associated proteins(NF kB-p65,Caspase 3-cleaved,BCL-2)were examined.Results:Pre-treatment of Rg1(30–100μg/mL)could effectively inhibit the decline of antioxidant indexes(CAT,SOD)and increase in inflammatory markers(MPO,TNF-αand IL-6),and effectively inhibited the apoptosis in FRNs induced by OGD in a gradient-dependent manner.The mechanism analysis showed that the role of Rg1 in protecting against ischemia-induced neuron damage depends on its indirect up-regulation of PPAR protein via suppression of rnomiRNA-27a-3p.Moreover,these effects of Rg1 could be reversed by exogenous rno-miRNA-27a-3p and PPAR gene silencing in FRNs exposed to OGD.Conclusion:To summarize,our study demonstrates that Rg1 could effectively attenuate neuronal damage caused by cerebral ischemia via the rno-miRNA-27a-3p/PPARγpathway.Further,clarification of the novel mechanism will certainly improve our previous understanding of the role of Rg1 and enhancing its level in treatments for alleviating ischemic brain injury.

Protective effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on 661W cells exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion via keap1/nrf2 pathway

AIM:To construct an in vitro model of oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion(OGD/R)induced injury to the optic nerve and to study the oxidative damage mechanism of ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)injury in 661W cells and the protective effect of ginsenoside Rg1.METHODS:The 661W cells were treated with different concentrations of Na2S2O4 to establish OGD/R model in vitro.Apoptosis,intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels and superoxide dismutase(SOD)levels were measured at different time points during the reperfusion injury process.The injury model was pretreated with graded concentrations of ginsenoside Rg1.Real-time polymerase chain reaction(PCR)was used to measure the expression levels of cytochrome C(cyt C)/B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl2)/Bcl2 associated protein X(Bax),heme oxygenase-1(HO-1),caspase9,nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(nrf2),kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(keap1)and other genes.Western blot was used to detect the expression of nrf2,phosphorylated nrf2(pnrf2)and keap1 protein levels.RESULTS:Compared to the untreated group,the cell activity of 661W cells treated with Na2S2O4 for 6 and 8h decreased(P<0.01).Additionally,the ROS content increased and SOD levels decreased significantly(P<0.01).In contrast,treatment with ginsenoside Rg1 reversed the cell viability and SOD levels in comparison to the Na_(2)S_(2)O_(4)treated group(P<0.01).Moreover,Rg1 reduced the levels of caspase3,caspase9,and cyt C,while increasing the Bcl2/Bax level.These differences were all statistically significant(P<0.05).Western blot analysis showed no significant difference in the protein expression levels of keap1 and nrf2 with Rg1 treatment,however,Rg1 significantly increased the ratio of pnrf2/nrf2 protein expression compared to the Na_(2)S_(2)O_(4)treated group(P<0.001).CONCLUSION:The OGD/R process is induced in 661W cells using Na_(2)S_(2)O_(4).Rg1 inhibits OGD/R-induced oxidative damage and alleviates the extent of apoptosis in 661W cells through the keap1/nrf2 pathway.These results suggest a potential protective effect of Rg1 against retinal I/R injury.

Microbiological Transformation of Ginsenoside Rg_1

Forty-nine microbial strains were used to screen their ability for the microbiological transforma-tion of ginsenoside Rg1. Aspergillus niger (3.1858) and Absidia coerulea (3.3538) were found to convert ginsenoside Rg1 efficiently to less polar metabolites. Preparative scale transformation with both fungi Absidia coerulea (3.3538) and Aspergillus niger (3.1858) have resulted in the production of one same metabolite (MT1). Its structure was char-acterized as 6-O-b-D-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxatriol (Ginsenoside Rh1) on the basis of its TOF-MS and 1H, 13C NMR spectral data. The biotransformation kinetic curves for Ginsenoside Rg1 and MT1 were reported for the first time, and the biotransformation pathway was proposed.

Ginsenoside Rg_3 inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma growth via intrinsic apoptotic pathway

AIM:To investigate the anti-tumor function of ginsenoside Rg3 on hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in vitro and in vivo,and its mechanism.METHODS:Hep1-6 and HepG2 cells were treated by Rg3 in different concentrations(0,50,100 and 200 μg/mL) in vitro.After incubation for 0,6,12,24 and 48 h,cell viability was measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay.Apoptosis was identified by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferasemediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling.Caspase-3 activity was measured by chromophore p-nitroanilide and flow cytometry.Bcl-2 family proteins were ascertained by Western-blotting.Mitochondria membrane potentialwas detected by 5,5',6' 6'-tetrachloro-1,1',3,3'-tetraethylbenzimidazolylcarbocyanine iodide.Forty liver tumor-bearing C57Bl6 mice were divided randomly into 4 groups for intra-tumor injection of saline,ginsenoside Rg3,cyclophosphamide(CTX) and ginsenoside Rg3 + CTX combination.RESULTS:The survival time was followed up to 102 d.The mice in the Rg3 + CTX group showed significant increased survival time compared with those in the control group(P < 0.05).Rg3 could inhibit HCC cell proliferation and induce cell apoptosis in vitro in the concentration and time dependent manner.It also induced mitochondria membrane potential to decrease.Caspase-3 activation can be blocked by the inhibitor z-DEVD-FMK.Bax was up-regulated while Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL were down-regulated after Rg3 treatment.CONCLUSION:Our data suggested that Rg3 alone or combined with CTX inhibited tumor growth in vivo and prolonged mouse survival time by inducing HCC cell apoptosis via intrinsic pathway by expression alterations of Bcl-2 family proteins.

Preparation and Characterization of Biodegradable Polylactide(PLA) Microspheres Encapsulating Ginsenoside Rg3

In this study, the process of a biodegradable polylactide（PLA） microsphere encapsulating ginsenoside Rg3 was first studied by the emulsion solvent evaporation method, for enhancing solubility and stability of ginsenoside Rg3. Alabum was also first used as a modifier in this method. The mean diameter of the prepared PLA microspheres containing Rg3 was 40 μm. Ginsenoside Rg3 released from the microspheres was studied by HPLC and detected by UV. It was found that the drug release curve fitted the Model Heller-Baker best.

Ginsenoside Rg1 attenuates motor impairment and neuroinflammation in the MPTP-probenecid-induced parkinsonism mouse model

OBJECTIVE To evaluate these activities of Rg1 in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)/probenecid(MPTP/p)-induced PD mouse model for the first time and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.METHODS Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to six groups.One hour prior to MPTP/p injection,GroupⅢ-Ⅵmice received 10 mg·kg^(-1),20 mg·kg^(-1),or 40 mg·kg^(-1) Rg1 or 3 mg·kg^(-1) selegiline,respectively,orally from D(-3) to D49.GroupⅠ-Ⅱmice received solvent water.Subsequently,GroupⅡ-Ⅵmice received by injection MPTP-HCl(25 mg·kg^(-1) bw dissolved in0.9%saline,sc)on a 40-d schedule at intervals of 4 d between consecutive doses in combination with an adjuvant drug,probenecid(250 mg·kg^(-1) bw in 0.03 mL of DMSO,ip);GroupⅠmice were injected with saline and probenecid.Behavioral performance was assessed in the open field test,pole test and rotarod test.Neurotransmitters in the striatum were detected using HPLC.Protein levels were measured by Western blot.Pathological characteristics were examined by immunohistochemistry.Ultrastructure changes were observed by electron microscopy.RESULTS Oral treatment with Rg1 significantly attenuated the high MPTP-induced mortality,behavior defects,loss of dopamine neurons and abnormal ultrastructure changes in the SNpc.Other assays indicated that the protective effect of Rg1 may be mediated by its anti-neuroinflammatory properties.Rg1 regulated MPTP-induced reactive astrocytes and microglia and decreased the release of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1b(IL^(-1)b)in the SNpc.Rg1 also al eviated the unusual MPTP induced increase in oligomeric,phosphorylated and disease-related a-synuclein in the SNpc.CONCLUSION Rg1 protects dopaminergic neurons,most likely by reducing aberrant a-synuclein-mediated neuroinflammation,and holds promise for Parkinson disease therapeutics.

THE CLINICAL EVALUATION OF ANGIOGENESIS INHIBITOR-20(R)-GINSENOSIDE RG_3 IN LUNG CANCER

Objective The aim of the study was to make a further evaluation of Ginsenoside Rg3. Methods The clinical effects of the drug on moderate and advanced lung cancer, including side effects, were observed. Results Ginsenoside Rg3 improved chemotherapy significantly. The clinical relief rate of patients treated with antiangiogenic agent 20 (R) Ginsenoside Rg3 was 36.6%, which was higher than that of the patients not treated with it (16.7%)( P <0.05). It had no significantly different effects on lung cancers of different types of tissues ( P >0.05). It provided better treatment on the cancer at early stage than that at advanced stage ( P <0.05). Moreover the living qualities of the patients were improved notably ( P <0.05). Conclusion Combined with chemotherapy, angiogenesis inhibitor 20(R) Ginsenoside Rg3 can improve clinical therapeutic efficacy and the living qualities of patients significantly.

Pharmacological effects of ginsenoside Rg1 in neuropsychopharmacology

Panax Ginseng has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)as a tonic to improver stamina and vitality.Ginsenoside Rg1(Rg1),a saponin extracted from Panax ginseng,is considered one of the most potent pharmacological candidates among TCM.In various diseases related to nervous system,Rg1 has shown excellent pharmacological activities.①Stroke:Rg1 has been well documented to be effective against ischemic/reperfusion(I/R)neuronal injury.A systematic review and meta-analysis revealed a marked efficacy of Rg1 in experi⁃mental acute ischemic stroke,as manifested by its ability to reduce infract volume and improve neurological score.The protective effects of Rg1 were abolished by injecting of AAV-HIF-miR-144-shRNA into the predicted ischemic penumbra.②Depression:In addition,Rg1 showed antidepressive effects in chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)model of depression and in gonadectomized(GDX)model of neuroendocrine disturbance.Rg1 displayed antidepressant activity through the modulation of HPA and HPG axis,markedly alleviated depression-like behavior in rats.Long-term Rg1 treat⁃ment of CUS-exposed rats also significantly prevented the decrease in dye diffusion and improved the ultrastructure of astrocyte gap junctions in the PFC.Rg1 upregulated Cx43 expression in PFC reduced by CUS exposure,indicating beneficial effects on the functional activity of gap junction channels in the brain.③Parkinson disease(PD):Oral treatment with Rg1 significantly attenuated high MPTP-induced mortality,behavior defects,loss of dopamine neurons and abnormal unltrastructure changes in SNpc.It regulated MPTP-induced reactive astrocytes and microglia and decreased the release of cytokines such as TNF-alpha and IL-1βin SNpc.Rg1 also alleviated the unusual MPTP-induced increase in oligomeric,phosphorylated and disease-relatedα-synuclein in SNpc.④Alzheimer disease(AD):Okadaic acid(OKA)intracerebroventricular injection induced memory impairment,including changes in the ability of orientation navigate,spatial probe and relearning memory in behavioral test of Morris water maze(MWM).OKA treated rats showed memory impair⁃ment including increasing of phospho-tau,decreasing of phospho-GSK3βand the formation ofβ-amyloid in special brain regions,which were reversed by Rg1.The possible neuroprotective mechanism might be that Rg1 decreases OKAinduced memory impairment through GSK3β/tau signaling pathway and/or attenuating Aβformation.Meanwhile,Rg1 activated ERK/MAPK pathway by CaMKIIα,and the activation of CREB was not only dependent on ERK induced by Rg1.Additionally,Rg1 inhibited microglial activation by suppressing Iba1 expression.Rg1 inhibited the inflammation mediated by LPS through suppressing NF-κB and MAPK pathway,which provided the explanation for its therapeutic ef⁃fect on neurodegenerative diseases.

Ginsenoside rg3 reduces body weight by regulating fat content and browning in obese mice

Objective:To determine the effects of ginsenoside rg3 on the body weight of C57BL/6J obese mice and to investigate its underlying weight loss mechanisms with a focus on white fat browning-related factors.Methods:Eight-week-old C57BL/6J male mice were fed a high-fat diet for 12 successive weeks to construct the obese model.C57BL/6J male mice were fed a standard chow diet to construct normal control group.After 8 weeks of intervention with ginsenoside rg3,the food intake,body weight,body fat mass,blood sugar,and lipid profiles of the mice in each group were detected.Hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the histological morphology of the adipose tissues.Real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)and Western blotting(WB)were applied to detect the gene and protein expression levels of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor gama(PPARg),Peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor-gamma coactivator-1alpha(PGC-1a),PR domain containing 16(PRDM16),and uncoupling protein 1(UCP-1).Results:Compared to normal control group mice,the body weight,food intake,body fat composition,and blood lipid levels of model group mice increased significantly.After 8 weeks of intervention with ginsenoside rg3,body weight,body fat composition,food intake,and blood lipid profiles decreased.HE staining showed that ginsenoside rg3 can improve white adipocyte hypertrophy to a certain extent.RTPCR and WB demonstrated that ginsenoside rg3 can increase the mRNA and protein expression levels of PPARg,PGC-1a,PRDM16,and UCP-1 in the adipose tissues of obese mice.Conclusion:The weight reduction effect of ginsenoside rg3 may be related to the promotion of white fat browning.

Apoptosis Induced by Ginsenoside Rg3 in a Human Bladder Carcinoma Cell Line

OBJECTIVE This study was conducted to explore the effect of Rg3 on inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis in bladder cancer cells. METHODS The EJ bladder cancer cell line was treated with Rg3 at various concentrations. Cell proliferation was measured by the MTT assay. Morphological changes in the cells were observed by fluorescent staining using Hoechst 33258. The cell cycle and apoptotic rate were analyzed by flow cytometry （FCM） and the expression of caspase-3 in cells was detected by immunocytochemistry. DNA ladder analysis was conducted by agarose gel electrophoresis. RESULTS Rg3 inhibited proliferation of EJ cells in a concentration-dependent manner, resulting in an IC50 for Rg3 at 48 h of 125.5 μg/ml. When treated with 150 μg/ml of Rg3 for 24 h and 48 h, the cells showed apoptotic morphological characteristics including condensed chromatin, nuclear fragmentation, apoptotic bodies and bright fluorescent granules as well as a higher caspase-3 expression. The FCM assay indicated that Rg3 altered the cell cycle and induced apoptosis of the EJ cells, when treated for 24 h and 48 h with 75 μg/ml of Rg3 as well as for 48 h with 150 μg/ml. The percentages of cells in the S phase and the GJM transition were increased, whereas the percentages of cells in the G0-G1 transition were decreased. The apoptotic rates were increased from （1.05±0.17）% in the control group cells to （8.41 ±0.98）%, （18.57±2.20）% and （33.98±1,64）% respectively. Significant changes in the DNA ladders, showed that the effects of Rg3 were displayed in a dose and time dependent manner. CONCLUSION The results suggest that Ginsenoside Rg3 exerts an inhibitory effect on proliferation of EJ cells by inducing apoptosis.

Ginsenoside Rg1 and Resveratrol Alleviate Acute Kidney Injury Induced by Cisplatin via Downregulation of Autophagy in Mice

Background: Cisplatin, a chemotherapeutic agent, is widely used in the treatment of malignant tumors. Nephrotoxicity, especially acute kidney injury (AKI), is the most common and severe adverse reaction of cisplatin. Resveratrol and ginsenoside Rg1, two natural products, have been found to have renal protective effects. However, the effects and the mechanisms in cisplatin-induced AKI need further investigation. Methods: The mouse models of cisplatin-induced AKI and several treatment groups were established. Male C57BL/6 mice were divided into five groups: saline control group, cisplatin injury group, resveratrol treatment group, Rg1 treatment group, resveratrol and Rg1 combined treatment group. Serological analysis of serum urea nitrogen was aimed to reflect the function of kidney, and histological analysis of renal tissue sections was aimed to assess the damage of proximal convoluted tubules. The expression levels of autophagy-related proteins Beclin 1 and LC3 were detected by western blotting and qRT-PCR respectively. Results: The renal function was improved and renal damage was alleviated in Rg1 and resveratrol alone or combined treatment groups compared with the cisplatin injury group. For the mechanism, treatment with Rg1 and resveratrol alone or in combination decreased the expressions of Beclin 1 both at protein and mRNA levels, decreased LC3II/I protein levels, indicating that autophagy was inhibited by treatment with Rg1 and resveratrol alone or in combination. Conclusion: Resveratrol and Rg1 alleviated the kidney damage caused by cisplatin, and reduced autophagy was involved in the renoprotective effects of resveratrol and Rg1 against cisplatin-induced AKI. This study may provide new evidence to alleviate cisplatin-induced AKI.

Antidepressant-like Effects of Ginsenoside Rg1 in the Chronic Restraint Stress-induced Rat Model

Objective To investigate the ameliorating effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on the depression-like behaviors induced by chronic restraint stress(CRS)in rats and the underlying mechanisms.Methods Forty male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups according to their baseline sucrose preference:control group,model group,and Rg1-treated groups(5 and 10 mg/kg).Except for control group,the groups were exposed to CRS(6 h/day)for 28 days.All drugs were intraperitoneally administered once daily to CRS rats after restraint stress for 14 days.The behavioral tests were carried out via the open field test(OFT),sucrose preference test(SPT),forced swim test(FST),and the Morris water maze(MWM)4 weeks following CRS induction.The levels of serum corticosterone(CORT)and the activities of the antioxidant defense biomarkers(SOD,MDA and GSH-x)in the prefrontal cortex(PFC)were analyzed using commercial ELISA kits.The levels of the neurotransmitter(5-HT,5-HIAA,Ach,NE,GABA and Glu)in the PFC were measured by ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.The protein expression of BDNF,Trkb,Bax and Bcl-2 in the PFC was detected by western blotting.Results Owing to increased sucrose consumption in the SPT,decreased immobility time in the FST,and the improved cognitive performance in MWM,chronic treatment with Ginsenoside Rg1 was found to significantly attenuate depressionlike behaviors(anhedonia,behavioral despair and poor spatial memory)in rats.Moreover,CRS exposure caused evident alterations in the levels of the neurotransmitters(5-HT,5-HIAA,Ach,GABA and Glu)and the activities of the antioxidant defense biomarkers(SOD,MDA and GSH-x)in the PFC and the levels of corticosterone in serum.However,Ginsenoside Rg1 treatment could restore these levels to normal values.Additionally,Ginsenoside Rg1 treatment significantly reverted the decreased expression of BDNF,Trkb and Bcl-2 and the increased expression of Bax in the PFC of CRS rats.Conclusions Ginsenoside Rg1 could attenuate the CRS-induced depression-like behaviors,in part,by regulating neurotransmitter levels and HPA function,antagonizing oxidative stress and apoptosis,and restoring BDNF-TrkB signaling in PFC.Altogether,our results provide a novel basis regarding the potential therapeutic effects of Rg1 on depression.

Ginsenoside Rg3 Promotes the Survival and Migration of Trophoblast Cells in a Rat Model of Gestational Hypertension by Regulating miR-100a/Insulin Growth Factor-2 Axis

Objective:Preeclampsia(PE)is a common complication during pregnancy.miR-100a is expressed in the placenta and regulates the survival and development of placental cells.Insulin growth factor-2(IGF-2)may serve as its downstream target.This study investigated the protective mechanisms of ginsenoside Rg3 against PE in rat model.Materials and Methods:LPS-induced rat PE models were suitable for intravenous administration of the highly expressed miR-100a ginsenoside Rg3 lentiviral vector.Human trophoblasts were cultured in vitro for JEG-3,and PE cell models were constructed.In vivo effects on tumor growth and apoptosis were observed.Ginsenoside Rg3 was treated with different concentrations of shRNA,miR-100a analogs,inhibitors,or IGF-2.Autophagy and the expression of autophagy-related proteins were examined.Trophoblast activity and migration were determined using Cell Counting Kit-8 and Transwell assays.Both drugs strongly inhibited trophoblasts under normal conditions with some synergy between them.Double-luciferase return assay confirmed the binding affinity of miR-100a for IGF-2.Results:In response to Rg3,autophagy and the expression of autophagy-related proteins LC3-I/II,Beclin1,and SQSTM1 were reduced in PE rat placental trophoblasts.Rg3 inhibited autophagy in JEG-3 cells and promoted JEG-3 survival and migration in a concentration-dependent manner.miR-100a upregulated PE expression.These results suggested that autophagy was a vital signaling system.Rg3 intervention inhibited miR-100a expression and miR-100a downregulated IGF-2 expression in placental tissues and promoted autophagy,thereby inhibiting JEG-3cell survival and migration.In rats,Rg3 inhibited PE development by regulating the activity of the miR-100a-IGF-2 signaling axis.Conclusion:Ginsenoside Rg3 positively regulates the miR-100a-IGF-2 axis and protects PE rats by inhibiting trophoblastic autophagy and promoting trophoblastic cell survival and migration.

Ginsenoside Rg1 improves anti-tumor efficacy of adoptive cell therapy by enhancing T cell effector functions

Adoptive cell therapy(ACT)has emerged with remarkable efficacies for tumor immunotherapy.Chimeric antigen receptor(CAR)T cell therapy,as one of most promising ACTs,has achieved prominent effects in treating malignant hematological tumors.However,the insufficient killing activity and limited persistence of T cells in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment limit the further application of ACTs for cancer patients.Many studies have focused on improving cytotoxicity and persistence of T cells to achieve improved therapeutic effects.In this study,we explored the potential function in ACT of ginsenoside Rg1,the main pharmacologically active component of ginseng.We introduced Rg1 during the in vitro activation and expansion phase of T cells,and found that Rg1 treatment upregulated two T cell activation markers,CD69 and CD25,while promoting T cell differentiation towards a mature state.Transcriptome sequencing revealed that Rg1 influenced T cell metabolic reprogramming by strengthening mitochondrial biosynthesis.When co-cultured with tumor cells,Rg1-treated T cells showed stronger cytotoxicity than untreated cells.Moreover,adding Rg1 to the culture endowed CAR-T cells with enhanced anti-tumor efficacy.This study suggests that ginsenoside Rg1 provides a potential approach for improving the anti-tumor efficacy of ACT by enhancing T cell effector functions.

Ginsenoside Rg1 ameliorates oxidative stress and myocardial apoptosis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

We evaluated the cardioprotective effects of ginsenoside Rg1 in a diabetic rat model induced with high-fat diet and intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Ginsenoside Rg1 was injected intraperitoneal y for 12 weeks. Myocardial injury indices and oxidative stress markers were determined. Changes in cardiac ultrastructure were evaluated with transmission electron microscopy. Myocardial apoptosis was assessed via terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase （TDT）-mediated DNA nick-end labeling （TUNEL） and immunohistochemistry. Ginsenoside Rg1 was as-sociated with a significant dose-dependent reduction in serum levels of creatinine kinase MB and cardiac troponin I, and lessened ultrastructural disorders in diabetic myocardium, relative to the untreated diabetic model rats. Also, compared with the untreated diabetic rats, significant reductions in serum and myocardial levels of malondialdehyde were noted in the ginsenoside Rg1-treated groups, and increased levels of the antioxidants （superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase） were detected. TUNEL staining indicated reduced myocardial apoptosis in ginsenoside Rg1-treated rats, which may be associated with reduced levels of caspase-3 （CASP3） and increased levels of B-cell lymphoma-extra-large （Bcl-xL） in the diabetic myocardium. Ginsenoside Rg1 treatment of diabetic rats was associated with reduced oxidative stress and attenuated myocardial apoptosis, suggesting that ginsenoside Rg1 may be of potential preventative and therapeutic value for cardiovascular injury in diabetic patients.

Ginsenoside Rg1 ameliorates bloodebrain barrier disruption and traumatic brain injury via attenuating macrophages derived exosomes miR-21 release

During the traumatic brain injury(TBI),improved expression of circulatory miR-21 serves as a diagnostic feature.Low levels of exosome-miR-21 in the brain can effectively improve neuroinflammation and bloodebrain barrier(BBB)permeability,reduce nerve apoptosis,restore neural function and ameliorate TBI.We evaluated the role of macrophage derived exosomes-miR-21(M-Exos-miR-21)in disrupting BBB,deteriorating TBI,and Rg1 interventions.IL-1β-induced macrophages(ⅡA)-Exos-miR-21 can activate NF-kB signaling pathway and induce the expressions of MMP-1,-3 and-9 and downregulate the levels of tight junction proteins(TJPs)deteriorating the BBB.Rg1 reduced miR-21-5 p content in ⅡA-Exos(RⅡA-Exos).The interaction of NMIIAe HSP90 controlled the release of Exos-miR-21,this interaction was restricted by Rg1.Rg1 could inhibit the Exos-miR-21 release in peripheral blood flow to brain,enhancing TIMP3 protein expression,MMPs proteolysis,and restricting TJPs degradation thus protected the BBB integrity.Conclusively,Rg1 can improve the cerebrovascular endothelial injury and hold the therapeutic potential against TBI disease.

Simultaneous quantification of ginsenoside Rg1 and its metabolites by HPLC–MS/MS:Rg1 excretion in rat bile, urine and feces

Ginsenoside Rg1(Rg1), the major effective component of ginseng, has been shown to have multiple bioactivities, but low oral bioavailability. The aim of this study was to develop a simple, sensitive and rapid high performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry(LC–MS/MS) method, which could be used to validate and quantify the concentrations of Rg1 and its metabolites in Sprague-Dawley rat bile,urine, and feces after oral administration(25 mg/kg). Calibration curves offered satisfactory linearity(r40.995)within the determined ranges. Both intra-day and inter-day variances were less than 15%, and the accuracy was within 80–120%. The excretion recoveries of Rg1, ginsenoside Rh1(Rh1), and protopanaxatriol(Ppt) in bile,urine, and feces combined were all greater than 70%. The fecal excretion recoveries of Rg1, Rh1, and Ppt were40.11%, 22.19%, and 22.88%, respectively, whereas 6.88% of Rg1 and 0.09% of Rh1 were excreted in bile.Urinary excretion accounted for only 0.04% of Rg1. In conclusion, the observed excretion profiles for Rg1 and its metabolites after oral administration are helpful for understanding the poor oral bioavailability of Rg1 and will aid further investigations of Rg1 as a pharmacologically active component.

Ginsenoside Rg1 protects against transient focal cerebral ischemic injury and suppresses its systemic metabolic changes in cerabral injury rats

Ginsenoside Rg1(GR),a major bioactive compound of traditional Chinese medicine,such as Panax ginseng or Radix Notoginseng,has been shown to exert neuroprotective effects against ischemic stroke.However,pharmacokinetic studies have suggested that GR could not be efficiently transported through the blood–brain barrier.The mechanism by which GR attenuates cerebral ischemic injury in vivo remains largely unknown.Therefore,this study explored potential neuro-protective effects of GR through its systemic metabolic regulating mechanism by using mass spectrometry–based metabolomic profiling.Rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) were treated with GR intravenously.Their metabolic profiles in serum were measured by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry on 1 and 3 days after MCAO.GR exhibited a potent neuro-protective effect by significantly decreasing the neurological scores and infarct volume in the MCAO rats.Moreover,18 differential metabolites were tentatively identified,all of which appeared to correlate well with these disease indices.Our findings suggested that GR carries a therapeutic potential in stroke possibly through a feed-back mechanism by regulating systematic metabolic mediation.