Ginsenoside Rg1 protects mouse liver against ischemia-reperfusion injury through anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis properties.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Ginsenoside Rg1, the major effective component of ginseng, possesses a variety of pharmacologic activities. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Rg1 on liver ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury and explore its potential mechanisms.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

Liver warm IR injury was achieved by occluding the portal vein and hepatic artery for 1 h followed by 6-h reperfusion. Eighteen mice were equally randomized into three groups: sham group, IR group, and IR plus Rg1 group (n = 6 mice per group). Mice received an intravenous dose of 20 mg/kg Rg1 or an equivalent volume of saline before ischemic insult. Liver samples and serum were collected for analyses. Serum aminotransferase, histopathology, and apoptosis were determined. Cytokines were measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The phosphorylation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 was assessed by Western blotting. In addition, the effect of Rg1 in a simulated IR model in vitro was also investigated. Rg1 (100 ug/mL and 500 ug/mL) was administered 1 h before hypoxia insult, and then apoptosis was measured after 12-h reperfusion.

RESULTS:

Liver IR injury led to a dramatic increase in aminopherase activity, apoptosis and necrosis of hepatocytes, and production of proinflammatory cytokines. Pretreatment with Rg1 protected mice from IR-induced liver injury. Treatment with a high-dose Rg1 (500 ug/mL) significantly suppressed apoptosis compared with a lower dose or control (both P < 0.001). Phosphorylation of NF-κB p65 was increased significantly in IR group, and administration with Rg1 suppressed the level of phosphorylation.

CONCLUSIONS:

Pretreatment of mice with Rg1 reduced hepatocellular apoptosis and inhibited inflammatory response, which was in part through the NF-κB signaling pathway. Rg1 may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of IR-induced liver injury.

• Authors: Tianzhu Tao, Feng Chen, Lulong Bo, Qun Xie, Wenjing Yi, Yun Zou, Baoji Hu, Jinbao Li, Xiaoming Deng
• Journal: The Journal of surgical research (J Surg Res) Vol. 191 Issue 1 Pg. 231-8 (Sep 2014) ISSN: 1095-8673 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24750984 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Cell Adhesion Molecules
• Cytokines
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Ginsenosides
• ginsenoside Rg1

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (pharmacology)
• Apoptosis (drug effects)
• Cell Adhesion Molecules (metabolism)
• Cytokines (metabolism)
• Disease Models, Animal
• Down-Regulation (drug effects, immunology)
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal (pharmacology)
• Ginsenosides (pharmacology)
• Hepatitis (drug therapy, immunology, pathology)
• Macrophages, Peritoneal (cytology, drug effects)
• Male
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Necrosis (drug therapy)
• Reperfusion Injury (drug therapy, immunology, pathology)
• Transplantation Immunology (drug effects)
• Warm Ischemia