The Effects of Ginsenosides on the Nrf2 Signaling Pathway

Ginsenoside Rb3 alleviates the formation of osteoclasts induced by periodontal ligament fibroblasts in the periodontitis microenvironment through the STAT3 pathway

This study explores the potential role and mechanism of Ginsenoside Rb3 (Rb3) in modulating osteoclastogenesis induced by human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (hPLFs) within the periodontitis microenvironment. We investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of Rb3 on hPLFs stimulated with Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (P.g-LPS) utilizing quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay techniques. Moreover, the functional role of Rb3 in hPLFs-induced osteoclast formation was assessed by treating human bone marrow-derived macrophages (hBMMs) with conditioned medium from hPLFs, followed by analyses through qPCR, western blot analysis, and staining for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) and phalloidin. The impact of Rb3 on the activation of the STAT3 signaling pathway was determined via western blot analysis. Results indicated that Rb3 treatment significantly suppressed the upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1, and IL-18) at both gene and protein levels in hPLFs induced by P.g-LPS. Furthermore, conditioned medium from Rb3 plus P.g-LPS treated hPLFs notably decreased the number of TRAP-positive cells, actin ring formations, and the expression of osteoclast marker genes (including CTSK, NFATC1, and ACP5). Rb3 also inhibited the P.g-LPS-induced activation of the STAT3 pathway, with the activation of STAT3 partially reversing the effects of Rb3 on inflammation and osteoclast differentiation. Collectively, Rb3 ameliorates inflammation in P.g-LPS-stimulated hPLFs and reduces hPLFs-induced osteoclastogenesis by inhibiting the STAT3 signaling pathway, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for periodontitis.

Ginsenoside Rb1 reduces oxidative/carbonyl stress damage and ameliorates inflammation in the lung of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

CONTEXT

Ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1) is a biologically active component of ginseng [Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (Araliaceae)].

OBJECTIVE

This study determined the underlying mechanisms of Rb1 treatment that acted on diabetes-injured lungs in diabetic rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model was used. Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into four groups (n = 10): control, Rb1 (20 mg/kg), insulin (15 U/kg to attain the euglycaemic state) and diabetic (untreated). After treatment for six weeks, oxidative stress assay; histological and ultrastructure analyses; TNF-α, TGF-β, IL-1 and IL-6 protein expression analyses; and the detection of apoptosis were performed.

RESULTS

There was decreased activity of SOD (3.53-fold), CAT (2.55-fold) and GSH (1.63-fold) and increased levels of NO (4.47-fold) and MDA (3.86-fold) in the diabetic group from control. Rb1 treatment increased SOD (2.4-fold), CAT (1.9-fold) and GSH (1.29-fold) and decreased the levels of NO (1.76-fold) and MDA (1.51-fold) as compared with diabetic rats. The expression of IL-6 (5.13-fold), IL-1α (2.35-fold), TNF-α (2.35-fold) and TGF-β (2.39-fold) was increased in diabetic rats from control. IL-6 (2.43-fold), IL-1α (2.27-fold), TNF-α (1.68-fold) and TGF-β (2.3-fold) were decreased in the Rb1 treatment group. Diabetes increased the apoptosis rate (2.23-fold vs. control), and Rb1 treatment decreased the apoptosis rate (1.73-fold vs. the diabetic rats). Rb1 and insulin ameliorated lung tissue injury.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that Rb1 could be useful for mitigating oxidative damage and inflammatory infiltration in the diabetic lung.

Research progress of ginseng in the treatment of gastrointestinal cancers

Cancer has become one of the major causes of human death. Several anticancer drugs are available; howeve their use and efficacy are limited by the toxic side effects and drug resistance caused by their continuous application. Many natural products have antitumor effects with low toxicity and fewer adverse effects. Moreover, they play an important role in enhancing the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents, reducing toxic side effects, and reversing chemoresistance. Consequently, natural drugs are being applied as potential therapeutic options in the field of antitumor treatment. As natural medicinal plants, some components of ginseng have been shown to have excellent efficacy and a good safety profile for cancer treatment. The pharmacological activities and possible mechanisms of action of ginseng have been identified. Its broad range of pharmacological activities includes antitumor, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-stress, anti-fibrotic, central nervous system modulating, cardioprotective, and immune-enhancing effects. Numerous studies have also shown that throuth multiple pathways, ginseng and its active ingredients exert antitumor effects on gastrointestinal (GI) tract tumors, such as esophageal, gastric, colorectal, liver, and pancreatic cancers. Herein, we introduced the main components of ginseng, including ginsenosides, polysaccharides, and sterols, etc., and reviewed the mechanism of action and research progress of ginseng in the treatment of various GI tumors. Futhermore, the pathways of action of the main components of ginseng are discussed in depth to promote the clinical development and application of ginseng in the field of anti-GI tumors.