Ginsenoside-Rb3 protects the myocardium from ischemia-reperfusion injury via the inhibition of apoptosis in rats

Screening and Verification of Blood-Activating Effective Component Group of Panax notoginseng Based on Spectrum-Effect Relationships

Panax notoginseng (P. notoginseng) is one of the most famous natural medicines and widely used to promote blood circulation in health care. However, the active component group of P. notoginseng for activating blood is not clear. We aim to screen and validate the pharmacodynamic component group (PCG), which could exert the same blood-activating effect as P. notoginseng. To clarify the active components, the chemical components were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and the fingerprint of P. notoginseng was established. Twenty candidate active monomers were selected through the spectrum-effect relationship analysis. Eleven active monomers, including Ginsenoside Rg1, Rb1, Rd, F1, Rh1, Rg2, Rb2, Rg3, and Rk1 and Notoginsenoside R1 and R2, were screened out as the PCG through validation by platelet aggregation test. Among them, the antiplatelet aggregation activity of Ginsenoside Rh1 was directly confirmed for the first time. The active component group could exert similar efficacy to the P. notoginseng extract in vitro and in vivo through the validation of in vitro platelet aggregation test and the rats with cerebral ischemia. This study laid the foundation for the quality evaluation of P. notoginseng and provided a reference for the research on the material basis of the pharmacodynamics of other Chinese herbs.

Mechanism of ginsenoside Rb3 against OGD/R damage based on metabonomic and PCR array analyses

In order to study the mechanisms of ginsenoside Rb3 (G-Rb3) against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) injury in HT22 cells based on metabolomics and PCR array, HT22 cells were randomly divided into control group, model group, G-Rb3 high-dose group (10 µmol/l) and G-Rb3 low-dose group (5 µmol/l). Except for the control group, which was left untreated, the remaining groups were incubated with 10 mmol/l Na2S2O4 in sugar-free DMEM medium for 2 h and then replaced with serum-free high-sugar DMEM medium for 2 h in order to replicate in vitro OGD/R model. Trypan blue staining was used to detect the cell viability; flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis; western blotting was used to detect the protein expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2 and caspase-3. The metabolomics were used to analyze the differential metabolites of G-Rb3 affecting OGD/R in order to find the relevant metabolic pathways. PCR array assay was performed to identify the expression of the differential genes. G-Rb3 could inhibit HT22 apoptosis according to the result of cell morphology, trypan blue staining and flow cytometry. The levels of Bax and caspase-3 protein expression were decreased, whereas the level of Bcl-2 protein expression was increased after the treatment of G-Rb3. Metabolomics results showed that a total of 31 differential metabolites between OGD/R group and G-Rb3 group, such as guanosine level, was downregulated, the levels of enalaprilat and sorbitol were upregulated, affecting ABC transporters, galactose metabolism, citrate cycle and other related metabolic pathways; according to the result of PCR array, it was observed that G-Rb3 significantly downregulated Trp63, Trp73, Dapk1, Casp14 and Cd70 pro-apoptotic genes. In conclusion, G-Rb3 has a significant protective effect on the OGD/R model simulated in vitro, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of apoptosis by affecting metabolites.

Recent advances in nano and micro formulations of Ginsenoside to enhance their therapeutic efficacy

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Ginsenosides, the main component of Panax ginseng, have long been recognized for their therapeutic benefits and are thought to have neuroprotective, antidiabetic, anti-depressant, antioxidant, anti-cancer, and anti-stress properties. However, due to their low water solubility, low biomembrane permeability, gastrointestinal dysfunction, and total metabolism in the body, ginsenosides have a poor absorption profile that has hindered the therapeutic potential of these organic molecules.

METHODS

Initially, we broadly illuminated the several techniques of extraction of Ginsenosides using Panax quinquefolius and Panax ginseng. Subsequently, we focused on different delivery methods to improve the stability, permeability, and solubility of natural chemicals, which raises the bioavailability of ginsenoside. Lastly, we explained significance of a variety of nano and microscale delivery systems, including liposomes, ethosomes, transfersomes, metal/metal oxide systems, micro/nanoemulsions, polymeric micro/nanoparticles (NPs), liposomes, transfersomes, and micelles to increase the bioavailability of ginsenosides.

RESULTS

The utilization of micro/nanoscale delivery methods, such as liposome-based delivery, polymer micro/nanoparticle distribution, and micro/nanoemulsion, to increase the bioavailability of ginsenosides has recently advanced, and we have emphasized these advances in this study. Furthermore, the disadvantages of ginsenosides were also discussed, including the challenges associated with putting these delivery systems into practice in clinical settings and suggestions for further research.

CONCLUSION

In summary, ginsenosides-based administration has several benefits that make it a potentially useful substance for a range of therapeutic purposes.

Effect and possible mechanisms of saponins in Chinese herbal medicine exerts for the treatment of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in experimental animal: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction

Preventing ischemia-reperfusion injury is the main direction of myocardial infarction treatment in the convalescent stage. Some studies have suggested that saponins in Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparations can protect the myocardium by various mechanisms. Our meta-analysis aims to evaluate the efficacy of TCM saponins in treating myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) and to summarize the potential molecular mechanisms further.

Methods

We conducted a literature search in six electronic databases [Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Sinomed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI)] until October 2022.

Results

Seventeen eligible studies included 386 animals (254 received saponins and 132 received vehicles). The random effect model is used to calculate the combined effect. The effect size is expressed as the weighted average difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Compared with placebo, saponins preconditioning reduced infarct size after MIRI significantly (WMD: -3.60,95% CI: -4.45 to -2.74, P < 0.01, I2: 84.7%, P < 0.001), and significantly increased EF (WMD: 3.119, 95% CI: 2.165 to 4.082, P < 0.01, I2: 82.9%, P < 0.0 L) and FS (WMD: 3.157, 95% CI: 2.218 to 4.097, P < 0.001, I2: 81.3%, P < 0.001).

Discussion

The results show that the pre-administration of saponins from TCM has a significant protective effect on MIRI in preclinical studies, which provides an application prospect for developing anti-MIRI drugs with high efficiency and low toxicity.

Integrated chemical profiling, network pharmacology and pharmacological evaluation to explore the potential mechanism of Xinbao pill against myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury

CONTEXT

Xinbao pill (XBW), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, is widely used in clinical treatment for cardiovascular diseases; however, the therapeutic effect of XBW on myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury (MI/RI) is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluates the cardioprotective effect and molecular mechanism of XBW against MI/RI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A phytochemistry-based network pharmacology analysis was used to uncover the mechanism of XBW against MI/RI. Ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry method was used to identify chemicals. MI/RI-related targets of XBW were predicted using TargetNet database, OMIC database, etc. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats under anterior descending artery ligation model were divided into Sham, MI/RI and XBW (180 mg/kg, intragastric administration). After 30 min ischaemia and 24 h reperfusion, heart tissues were collected for measurement of myocardial infarct size. After oxygen glucose deprivation for 6 h, H9c2 cells were treated with XBW (60, 240 and 720 μg/mL) and diazoxide (100 μM) for 18 h of reperfusion.

RESULTS

Thirty-seven chemicals were identified in XBW; 50 MI/RI-related targets of XBW were predicted using indicated databases. XBW significantly reduced infarct size and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) level after MI/RI; XBW protected H9c2 cells against OGD/R injury. Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses by String database showed that the cardioprotective effect of XBW was associated with autophagy and apoptosis signalling pathways. Experimental investigation also verified that XBW suppressed apoptosis, autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress.

CONCLUSIONS

XBW showed therapeutic effects against MI/RI mainly via attenuating apoptosis though suppressing excessive autophagy and ER stress.

Inhibition of Myocardial Cell Apoptosis Is Important Mechanism for Ginsenoside in the Limitation of Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Ischemic heart disease has a high mortality, and the recommended therapy is reperfusion. Nevertheless, the restoration of blood flow to ischemic tissue leads to further damage, namely, myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MIRI). Apoptosis is an essential pathogenic factor in MIRI, and ginsenosides are effective in inhibiting apoptosis and alleviating MIRI. Here, we reviewed published studies on the anti-apoptotic effects of ginsenosides and their mechanisms of action in improving MIRI. Each ginsenoside can regulate multiple pathways to protect the myocardium. Overall, the involved apoptotic pathways include the death receptor signaling pathway, mitochondria signaling pathway, PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, and MAPK signaling pathway. Ginsenosides, with diverse chemical structures, regulate different apoptotic pathways to relieve MIRI. Summarizing the effects and mechanisms of ginsenosides contributes to further mechanism research studies and structure-function relationship research studies, which can help the development of new drugs. Therefore, we expect that this review will highlight the importance of ginsenosides in improving MIRI via anti-apoptosis and provide references and suggestions for further research in this field.

Comprehensive phytochemicals analysis and anti-myocardial ischemia activity of total saponins of American ginseng berry

American ginseng berry (AGB) is a new medicinal source. Total saponins of American ginseng berry (TSAGB) are the main active ingredients. The effects and active saponins of TSAGB on myocardial ischemia (MI) rats were evaluated for the first time. First, there were 69 saponins identified or tentatively characterized by Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS/MS) combined with UNIFI platform, among which, about 28 saponins were first identified in AGB. Second, MI model was established by ligating left coronary artery. It has been demonstrated that TSAGB could prevent the ST-segment elevation, reduce myocardial infarct size and levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and elevate the superoxide dismutase (SOD) level. Finally, network pharmacology combined with molecular docking to screen out four active saponins (ginsenoside Re, Rb₃ , Rg₃ , and PF₁₁ ) and five key targets (SOD1, LDHA, CKB, GOT2, and ROS1) closely related to MI. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: This study enriches the chemical composition of TSAGB, and provides a basis for clarifying the pharmacological substances for anti-myocardial ischemia. TSAGB might be a potential anti-myocardial ischemia agent. The effect might be related to alleviating oxidative stress.

Molecular-Signaling Pathways of Ginsenosides Rb in Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury: A Mini Review

Reperfusion injury following myocardial ischemia remained a challenge for optimal treatment of myocardial infarction. Ginsenosides Rb (G-Rb), the primary components of ginsenoside, have been reported to exert cardioprotective effects via numerous mechanisms. G-Rb1 mediate cardioprotective effects via various signaling pathways, including mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, HIF-1α and GRF91, RhoA, p38α MAPK, and eNOS. G-Rb2 activates the SIRT-1 pathway, while G-Rb3 promotes both JNK-mediated NF-κB and PERK/Nrf2/HMOX1. Generally, ginsenosides Rb1, 2, and 3 modulates oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis, contributing to the improvement of structural, functional and biochemical parameters. In conclusion, G-Rb, particularly G-Rb1, have vast potential as a supplement in attenuating reperfusion injury. Translation into a clinical trial is warranted to confirm the beneficial effects of G-Rb.

Ginsenoside from ginseng: a promising treatment for inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is an autoimmune disease mediated by immune disorder and termed as one of the most refractory diseases by the Word Health Organization. Its morbidity has increased steadily over the past half century worldwide. Environmental, genetic, infectious, and immune factors are integral to the pathogenesis of IBD. Commonly known as the king of herbs, ginseng has been consumed in many countries for the past 2000 years. Its active ingredient ginsenosides, as the most prominent saponins of ginseng, have a wide range of pharmacological effects. Recent studies have confirmed that the active components of Panax ginseng have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects on IBD, including regulating the balance of immune cells, inhibiting the expression of cytokines, as well as activating Toll-like receptor 4, Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor (NLRP), mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling, and so on. Accumulated evidence indicates that ginsenosides may serve as a potential novel therapeutic drug or health product additive in IBD prevention and treatment in the future.

Combination of the ginsenosides Rb3 and Rb2 exerts protective effects against myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury in rats

Ginsenoside Rb3 (G-Rb3) has been demonstrated to alleviate myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MIRI); however, it is difficult to separate G-Rb2 from its isomer G-Rb3. The current study aimed to compare the cardioprotective effects of G-Rb3 and the concomitant use of G-Rb3 and G-Rb2 (G-Rb3/Rb2) on MIRI in rats. A rat model of MIRI was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery and the rats were randomly divided into five groups. Prior to MIRI, G-Rb3/Rb2 (20 mg/kg), G-Rb3 (20 mg/kg) and diltiazem (DLZ; 20 mg/kg, as a positive control) were orally administered to the rats once a day for 3 consecutive days. After 30 min of ischemia and 120 min of reperfusion, cardiac function, infarct size, cardiac marker enzymes, antioxidative parameters, inflammatory factors, histopathological changes, cardiomyocyte apoptosis, and B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein and caspase-3 expression were determined using a multi-channel physiological recording system, nitrotetrazolium blue chloride, biochemical kits, radioimmunoassay kits, hematoxylin and eosin, terminal deoxynucleotidyl-transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling assay, immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, respectively. The results indicated that treatment with G-Rb3/Rb2 significantly protected rats against MIRI, as shown by improved cardiac function, reduced myocardial ischemic area, decreased serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase MB, decreased serum concentrations of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α, decreased malondialdehyde concentration in myocardial tissues, increased activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase in myocardial tissues, reduced histopathological changes in myocardial tissues, reduced number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes, and changes in the expression levels of caspase-3, Bcl-2 and Bax. In addition, the effects of treatment with G-Rb3/Rb2, G-Rb3 or DLZ were equivalent. The protective effects of G-Rb3/Rb2 on MIRI were similar to those of G-Rb3 in terms of oxidative stress, inflammatory factors and inhibition of cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Therefore, G-Rb3/Rb2 may be developed as a concomitant treatment for MIRI.

Qishen capsule safely boosts cardiac function and angiogenesis via the MEK/ERK pathway in a rat myocardial infarction model

Background

Qishen (QS) capsules, a Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been widely used to treat coronary heart disease in China. However, evidence of its effectiveness remains unclear.

Methods

To explore whether QS has cardioprotective efficacy and/or promotes angiogenesis after myocardial infarction (MI), we performed experiments in a preclinical rat MI model. One month after left anterior descending coronary artery ligation, the rats received either QS solution (0.4 g/kg/day) or the same volume of saline by intragastric injection for four weeks.

Results

Echocardiographic and hemodynamic analyses demonstrated relatively preserved cardiac function in MI rats administered QS. Indeed, QS treatment was associated with reduced infarct scar size and heart weight index, and these beneficial effects were responsible for enhancing angiogenesis. Mechanistically, QS treatment increased phosphorylation of protein kinase B (Akt) and downregulated phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular-regulated kinase (MEK/ERK).

Conclusions

QS therapy can improve the cardiac function of rats after MI by an underlying mechanism involving increased angiogenesis, at least partially via activation of the Akt signaling pathway and inhibition of MEK/ERK phosphorylation.

Traditional Chinese Medicine for Coronary Heart Disease: Clinical Evidence and Possible Mechanisms

Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains a major cause of mortality with a huge economic burden on healthcare worldwide. Here, we conducted a systematic review to investigate the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for CHD based on high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and summarized its possible mechanisms according to animal-based researches. 27 eligible studies were identified in eight database searches from inception to June 2018. The methodological quality was assessed using seven-item checklist recommended by Cochrane Collaboration. All the data were analyzed using Rev-Man 5.3 software. As a result, the score of study quality ranged from 4 to 7 points. Meta-analyses showed CHM can significantly reduce the incidence of myocardial infarction and percutaneous coronary intervention, and cardiovascular mortality (P < 0.05), and increase systolic function of heart, the ST-segment depression, and clinical efficacy (P < 0.05). Adverse events were reported in 11 studies, and CHMs were well tolerated in patients with CHD. In addition, CHM exerted cardioprotection for CHD, possibly altering multiple signal pathways through anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidation, anti-apoptosis, improving the circulation, and regulating energy metabolism. In conclusion, the evidence available from present study revealed that CHMs are beneficial for CHD and are generally safe.

Ginsenoside Rb3 provides protective effects against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity via regulation of AMPK-/mTOR-mediated autophagy and inhibition of apoptosis in vitro and in vivo

Objectives

Based on previous reports that ginsenosides have been shown to exert better preventive effects on cisplatin‐induced kidney injury, the present work aims to evaluate the protective effects of ginsenoside Rb3 (G‐Rb3) on cisplatin‐induced renal damage and underlying mechanisms in vivo and in vitro.

Materials and methods

The protective effect of G‐Rb3 on cisplatin‐induced acute renal failure in ICR mouse model and HEK293 cell model was investigated, and the underlying possible mechanisms were also explored. For animal experiment, renal function, kidney histology, inflammation, oxidative stress, relative protein molecules involved in apoptosis and autophagy signalling pathways were assessed. In addition, rapamycin (a specific inhibitor of mTOR), compound C (a specific inhibitor of AMPK) and acetylcysteine (NAC, a specific ROS scavenger) were employed to testify the effects of AMPK/mTOR signal pathway on the protective effects of G‐Rb3 in HEK293 cells.

Results

Pre‐treatment with G‐Rb3 at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg for ten days significantly reversed the increases in serum creatinine (CRE), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and decrease in glutathione (GSH) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. Histopathological examination further revealed that G‐Rb3 inhibited cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity. G‐Rb3 diminished cisplatin‐induced increase in protein expression levels of p62, Atg3, Atg5 and Atg7, and decrease in protein expression level of p‐mTOR and the ratio of LC3‐I/LC3‐II, indicating that G‐Rb3 suppressed cisplatin‐induced activation of autophagy. Inhibition of autophagy induced inactivation of apoptosis, which suggested that autophagy played an adverse effect on cisplatin‐evoked renal damage. Further, we found that G‐Rb3 might potentially modulate the expressions of AMPK‐related signal pathways.

Conclusions

These findings clearly suggested that G‐Rb3‐mediated alleviation of cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity was in part due to regulation of AMPK‐/mTOR‐mediated autophagy and inhibition of apoptosis in vitro and in vivo.

Panax notoginseng for Inflammation-Related Chronic Diseases: A Review on the Modulations of Multiple Pathways

Panax notoginseng (P. notoginseng) is a well-known and commonly used Chinese herbal medicine in Asian countries. As one of the major species in the Panax genus, it has a distinct chemical composition and medical application compared with other species. P. notoginseng attracts attention and interest due to its potential therapeutic effects not only on blood diseases, but also other kinds of human chronic disorders. This paper critically reviewed the latest advance of knowledge on the pharmacological effects of P. notoginseng on a variety of chronic diseases including inflammatory bowel disease, arthritis, ischemia, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer disease and trauma, as well as hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and so on. As inflammation is considered the fundamental factor involved in the pathogenesis of chronic diseases, our review therefore focuses on understanding the involvement of classical inflammatory pathways underlying the mechanism of action of P. notoginseng. Potential clinical application was also discussed. Furthermore, by combining with network pharmacology, we introduced the major bioactive components of P. notoginseng, analyzed their cellular targets and associated signaling pathways. In conclusion, this review identified inflammatory pathway as the key signaling for determining the efficacy of P. notoginseng on chronic diseases. It is speculated that P. notoginseng is a multi-targeted agent with an anti-inflammatory property in the adjuvant and alternative treatment of human chronic diseases.

Ginsenoside Rg3 induces ginsenoside Rb1-comparable cardioprotective effects independent of reducing blood pressure in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Ginsenoside Rg3 (Rg3) is a rare type of ginsenoside used as an anti-tumor medicine in China. Ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1), which exhibits protective effects on the cardiovascular system, is similar to Rg3 in chemical structure. In the present study, Rb1 and Rg3 were administered for 6 weeks to spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and their cardioprotective effects were assessed. According to echocardiography and histopathological examinations, the decrease in cardiac function and ventricular remodeling that occurred in SHR rats were attenuated by Rb1 and Rg3. However, tail-cuff blood pressure measurements indicated that Rb1 and Rg3 did not reduce blood pressure in SHR rats. The cardioprotective effects of Rb1 and Rg3 occurred independently of blood pressure reduction. Furthermore, immunohistochemistry (IHC) revealed that renin angiotensin system (RAS) activity in the myocardium of SHR was significantly attenuated by Rb1 and Rg3, whereas ELISA identified no significant changes of RAS activity in the serum. The results of IHC and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction demonstrated that levels of transforming growth factor β1, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-1 and endothelian-1 in the myocardium of SHR rats were reduced following Rb1 and Rg3 treatment. This may be due to the attenuation of RAS activity in the myocardium and the mechanisms of the cardioprotective effects of Rb1 and Rg3.

Sufentanil protects the rat myocardium against ischemia-reperfusion injury via activation of the ERK1/2 pathway

Sufentanil, a lipophilic opioid, is the most frequently used clinical drug for ischemic heart disease. The effects of sufentanil on MAPK signaling in ischemic heart disease were explored. The effects of sufentanil on ischemia-reperfusion (IR)-induced myocardial injury in a rat model were examined. The serum levels of CK, LDH, MDA and SOD, and the activities of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase were measured. The levels of total and phosphorylated ERK1/2, JNK, and p38 were measured by western blotting in the heart, and the myocardial H9C2 cell line was studied. Using the Cell Counting Kit-8, the growth rate of H9C2 cells affected by sufentanil was studied. The serum levels of CK, LDH and MDA were higher in the IR group than in the SO and SUF groups. The SOD level, as well as the activities of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase, were lower in the SO and SUF groups than in the IR group. The phosphorylated ERK1/2 level was lower in the IR group than in the SO and SUF groups. The growth rate of H9C2 cells increased with the concentration of sufentanil and the exposure time. The phosphorylated ERK level was upregulated by 4-12 h of sufentanil exposure, indicating that the effects were time-dependent. Furthermore, an inhibition of ERK signaling by chemical inhibition suppressed the sufentanil-mediated increase in the growth rate of H9C2 cells. Sufentanil appears to be beneficial for cases of worsening ischemic heart disease. Further studies are necessary before a clinical application is considered.

Ginsenoside Rb3 strengthens the hypoglycemic effect through AMPK for inhibition of hepatic gluconeogenesis

Ginsenoside Rb3 is one of the major active components in protopanaxdiol type ginsenosides, and has demonstrated anti-diabetic activity. However, the mechanism of this action has yet to be elucidated. The present study investigated the effects of ginsenoside Rb3 on the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) gluconeogenesis pathway. The present study involved the use of HepG2 cells and western blot analysis to systematically evaluate the effect of ginsenoside Rb3 on AMPK signaling proteins and key factors of gluconeogenesis [phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), glucose-6-phosphatase, forkhead transcription factor 1 (FOXO1) and hepatic nuclear receptor 4α (HNF4α)]. The results indicated that 25 µM ginsenoside Rb3 significantly activated AMPK activity, increased the ratio of p-AMPK/total-AMPK, and had synergistic effects with the activator of AICAR on the activation of AMPK. Further analysis indicated that the expression of the transcription factor FOXO1 and HNF4α protein, two important factors in the pathway of HepG2 cell gluconeogenesis, was significantly suppressed by ginsenoside Rb3. PEPCK and G6Pase were subsequently inhibited, which led to the suppression of gluconeogenesis. These effects were partially blocked by the AMPK inhibitor, Compound C, which indicated that the inhibition effects of ginsenoside Rb3 on hepatic gluconeogenesis were predominantly due to the activation of the AMPK signaling pathway. These data suggested that ginsenoside Rb3 can suppress hepatic gluconeogenesis, at least partially through stimulation of AMPK activity.

Effects and mechanisms of compound Chinese medicine and major ingredients on microcirculatory dysfunction and organ injury induced by ischemia/reperfusion

Microcirculation dysfunction and organ injury after ischemia and reperfusion (I/R) result from a complex pathologic process consisting of multiple links, with metabolism impairment in the ischemia phase and oxidative stress in the reperfusion phase as initiators, and any treatment targeting a single link is insufficient to cope with this. Compound Chinese medicine (CCM) has been applied in clinics in China and some Asian nations for >2000years. Studies over the past decades revealed the protective and therapeutic effect of CCMs and major ingredients on I/R-induced microcirculatory dysfunction and tissue injury in the heart, brain, liver, intestine, and so on. CCM contains diverse bioactive components with potential for energy metabolism regulation; antioxidant effect; inhibiting inflammatory cytokines release; adhesion molecule expression in leukocyte, platelet, and vascular endothelial cells; and the protection of thrombosis, albumin leakage, and mast cell degranulation. This review covers the major works with respect to the effects and underlying mechanisms of CCM and its ingredients on microcirculatory dysfunction and organ injury after I/R, providing novel ideas for dealing with this threat.

The pharmacokinetic screening of multiple components of the Nao Mai Tong formula in rat plasma by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry combined with pattern recognition method and its application to comparative pharmacokinetics

The Nao Mai Tong formula (NMT) is composed of Rhubarb, Ginseng, Ligusticum wallichii and Pueraria in a ratio of 3:3:2:2 (w/w) and is a well-known traditional Chinese prescription that has been clinically employed for treating ischemia cerebrovascular disease. The goal of this study was to investigate the pharmacokinetics of multiple components (chryohol-8-O-β-D-glucoyroide, physcion-8-O-β-D-glucopyranoside, aloe-emodin, rhein, emodin, chrysophanol, ginsenoside Rg₁, ginsenoside Rb₁, ginsenoside Rb_3, ginsenoside Rc, senkyunolide I, ligustilide puerarin, daidzein, 3'-methoxy puerarin) after the oral administration of the NMT formula in rats. A rapid and sensitive UHPLC-Quadrupole-Orbitrap-MS with a sequential positive and negative ionization mode was developed to determine the 15 absorbed ingredients. After extraction from blood, the analytes and internal standards were subjected to ultra-high performance liquid chromatography with Agela Venusil MPC₁₈ (2.1mm×100mm, 3μm, Agela, USA). The mobile phase consisted of methanol and ammonium acetate (3mmolL^-1) under gradient elution conditions. This validated method was successfully applied to a comparative pharmacokinetic study of fifteen components in rat plasma after oral administration of the NMT formula or single herb extracts to normal and stroke-afflicted rats. A principal component analysis (PCA) was utilized to evaluate the differences in the pharmacokinetic behavior (time-course) of the absorbed components of NMT, and the absorbed components were assigned to 3 separate clusters. A comparison of the body dynamics of each group indicated that cluster B (ginsenoside Rg₁, ginsenoside Rb₁, ginsenoside Rb_3, ginsenoside Rc) might be the most important constituents controlling the pharmacological effects of NMT. The comparative pharmacokinetic study showed that the different groups had different pharmacokinetic characteristics. The pharmacokinetics-based UHPLC Quadrupole-Orbitrap-MS using a full-scan mode combined with a pattern recognition approach can provide a reliable and suitable means of screening and identifying potentially bioactive components that contribute to the pharmacological effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).

Anti-apoptotic effect of microRNA-30b in early phase of rat myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury model

This study aimed to investigate the effect of microRNA-30b (miR-30b) in rat myocardial ischemic-reperfusion (I/R) injury model. We randomly divided Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (n = 80) into five groups: 1) control group; 2) miR-30b group; 3) sham-operated group; 4) I/R group, and 5) I/R+miR-30b group. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemical staining and Western blot analysis were conducted. TUNEL assay was employed for testing cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Our results showed that miR-30b levels were down-regulated in I/R group and I/R + miR-30b group compared with sham-operated group (both P < 0.05). However, miR-30b level in I/R + miR-30b group was higher than I/R group (P < 0.05). Markedly, the apoptotic rate in I/R group showed highest in I/R group (P < 0.05). Additionally, the results illustrated that protein levels of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 were at higher levels in ischemic regions in I/R group, comparing to sham-operated group (all P < 0.05), while Bcl-2/Bax was reduced (P < 0.05). Bcl-2 level and Bcl-2/Bax were obviously increased in I/R + miR-30b group by comparison with I/R group, and expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 were down-regulated (all P < 0.05). We also found that in I/R + miR-30b group, KRAS level was apparently lower and p-AKT level was higher by comparing with I/R group (both P < 0.05). Our study indicated that miR-30b overexpression had anti-apoptotic effect on early phase of rat myocardial ischemia injury model through targeting KRAS and activating the Ras/Akt pathway.