Journal of Ginseng Research最新文献

{"title":"A narrative review of Panax notoginseng: Unique saponins and their pharmacological activities","authors":"Wenbiao Li,&nbsp;Hailian Shi,&nbsp;Xiaojun Wu","doi":"10.1016/j.jgr.2024.12.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jgr.2024.12.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Panax notoginseng</em> (PN) is a precious traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) whose medicinal parts are roots and rhizomes for the treatment of haemorrhage, blood-stasis, swelling and pain. It contains various compounds with saponins being the main active components for its therapeutic effects. A thorough analysis of the unique saponins present in aboveground and underground parts was performed by literature search and database screening. Compared with PN, other Panax genus like <em>P. ginseng</em> (PG), <em>P. quinquefolium</em> (PQ) and <em>P. japonicus</em> (PJ) have the similar chemical composition and pharmacologic effects but different applications based on the TCM theory. PG is renowned for its qi-tonifying properties, while PQ is known for its heat-clearing and fluid-nourishing effects. PJ can eliminate phlegm and relieve cough except for its stasis-dispelling and hemostatic properties like PN. PN, PG, and PQ feature damarane-type saponins, while PJ has a high content of oleic acid-type saponins. In this review, the saponins within the four species were classified and compared, and the unique saponins in PN were identified, such as notoginsenosides Ft1, B, Ab1-3, Fh1-9, etc., which may contribute to its special activities. And their pharmacological effects were also analyzed and summarized, suggesting that notoginsenoside Ft1 may be crucial for vascular homeostasis. However, the effect of unique saponins in PN on blood health should be well-clarified. This review highlights the importance of unique saponins in PN for its overall efficacy and hopes to make further exploration of their potential applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ginseng Research","volume":"49 2","pages":"Pages 118-133"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143445788","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antiviral potential of ginseng: Targeting human pathogenic viruses with compounds derived from ginseng","authors":"Chen Huo ,&nbsp;Jihye Baek ,&nbsp;Ki Hyun Kim","doi":"10.1016/j.jgr.2024.12.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jgr.2024.12.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the critical need for effective antiviral therapies, as viral infections remain a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Natural compounds, especially those derived from plants, have been recognized for their therapeutic properties. Ginseng, in particular, has attracted considerable attention for its potential antiviral effects. This review examines the antiviral compounds from ginseng that act against various human pathogenic viruses. We systematically summarize the antiviral activities of ginseng compounds targeting a range of viruses, including human rhinovirus (HRV), influenza virus, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis viruses A, B, and C (HAV, HBV, HCV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), enterovirus 71 (EV71), coxsackievirus, norovirus, and SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. This review covers <em>Panax ginseng</em>, <em>P. notoginseng</em>, and <em>P. quinquefolius</em>, discussing their mechanisms of action and therapeutic potential. The analysis incorporates literature from February 2002 through August 2024, providing a comprehensive overview of the existing evidence on the antiviral properties of compounds derived from ginseng. This review aims to underscore the scientific basis for developing ginseng as an antiviral therapeutic agent or nutraceutical.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ginseng Research","volume":"49 2","pages":"Pages 105-117"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143445787","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Anti-fatigue effects of Korean Red Ginseng extract in healthy Japanese adults: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study","authors":"Yeong-Geun Lee ,&nbsp;Woojae Hong ,&nbsp;Young Mi Cho ,&nbsp;Jeong Eun Kwon ,&nbsp;Deok-Chun Yang ,&nbsp;Hyunggun Kim ,&nbsp;Se Chan Kang","doi":"10.1016/j.jgr.2024.12.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jgr.2024.12.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Chronic fatigue deleteriously affects the quality of life, thereby impairing physical and social functions and subsequently leading to financial and social problems. This study investigated the anti-fatigue effects of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) extract in healthy middle-aged Japanese adults.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Forty-six participants were randomly divided into two groups (KRG and placebo). KRG (960 mg) or placebo capsules were administered for 3 weeks. The effect of KRG on fatigue was evaluated using visual analogue scale (VAS), plasma lactic acid, and cortisol levels.</div></div><div><h3>Results and conclusions</h3><div>Three-week consumption of KRG extract resulted in a significant decrease in the fatigue VAS score compared to the placebo group (p = 0.035). No significant difference was found in plasma cortisol and lactic acid levels between the groups. There were no differences between groups in the incidence of adverse events and the results of urinalysis, hematology, and biochemistry. These findings suggest the potential of KRG extract in mitigating fatigue and the safety of KRG extracts in healthy adults.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ginseng Research","volume":"49 3","pages":"Pages 237-247"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143870506","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Ginsenoside Rg1 exerts antidepressant effect by regulating hepatic kynurenine metabolism through promoting the interaction between HNF4α and PGC1α","authors":"Keke Jia ,&nbsp;Shuman Pan ,&nbsp;Wenyuan Wu ,&nbsp;Yiming Sun ,&nbsp;Qingyu Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.jgr.2024.12.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jgr.2024.12.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The neuroprotective effect of ginsenoside Rg1 is indeed one of the current research hotspots. However, its limited ability to cross the blood-brain barrier results in low distribution within the brain. Thus, the mechanism through which ginsenoside Rg1 affects the central nervous system needs further examination.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The LC-MS/MS analysis was used to detect the Kyn level. The expression of kynurenine aminotransferase 2 (KAT2) and kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (KMO) were investigated by qRT-PCR and western blotting analysis. The interaction between the transcription factor hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α (HNF4α) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC1α) was explored by Co-IP assay. The HNF4α binding sites in the KAT2 and KMO genes were analyzed by ChIP. In addition, we specifically knocked down HNF4α in the liver of mice by injecting adeno-associated virus into the tail vein.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Ginsenoside Rg1 upregulated the expression of KAT2 and KMO, thereby increasing the metabolism of Kyn in the liver. Further exploring its mechanism, we discovered that ginsenoside Rg1 increased the expression of KAT2 and KMO by promoting the interaction between the transcription factor HNF4α and PGC1α. Hepatic HNF4α knockdown abolished the antidepressant effects induced by ginsenoside Rg1.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our findings reveal a novel mechanism in which ginsenoside Rg1 upregulates KAT2 and KMO through the HNF4α/PGC1α pathway, reducing hepatic Kyn levels and subsequently alleviating depression.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ginseng Research","volume":"49 2","pages":"Pages 179-188"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143445796","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rare ginsenosides transformed from stems and leaves of Panax ginseng reverse obesity by promoting browning of white fat through PKA/CREB pathway via REGγ negative regulation","authors":"Jianbo Chen,&nbsp;Jiyue Sha,&nbsp;Xiaohui Huo,&nbsp;Zhiman Li,&nbsp;Di Qu,&nbsp;Xueqing Li,&nbsp;Meijia Li","doi":"10.1016/j.jgr.2024.11.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jgr.2024.11.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>White adipose tissue (WAT) browning can promote thermogenesis and could be a promising target for treating obesity. Rare ginsenosides transformed from stems and leaves of <em>Panax ginseng</em> (T-GSSL) exhibit numerous biological activities. However, its potential anti-obesity effects and underlying mechanism remain largely unknown.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Five amino acids were selected as the catalysts for the transformation of ginsenosides into rare ginsenosides. An obese mouse model was established by feeding mice a high-fat diet (HFD) for 14 weeks. The effects of T-GSSL on obese mice were assessed by measuring body weight, fat mass, energy expenditure (EE), and glucose tolerance. The 3T3-L1 cells were differentiated into mature adipocytes and incubated with T-GSSL. Immunohistochemistry, co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), western blotting (WB), real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and other methods were used to investigate the targets and mechanisms of action of T-GSSL.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Ginsenosides in GSSL were hydrolyzed using glutamic acid as a catalyst and 12 rare ginsenosides were produced, with a total conversion rate of 95 %. T-GSSL ameliorated metabolic disorders, lipid ectopic deposition, and obesity, and maintained glucose homeostasis in obese mice. T-GSSL treatment promoted adipose browning and enhanced EE in both HFD mice and 3T3-L1 cells. These effects were decreased in cells treated with a protein kinase A (PKA) antagonist or subjected to <em>PKAcα</em> knockdown, whereas they were increased in REGγ^−/− mice. The inhibition of REGγ alongside the activation of the PKA/CREB pathway elucidates the mechanism through which T-GSSL reverses obesity by promoting the browning of adipose tissue.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>T-GSSL attenuates diet-induced obesity by promoting adipose browning through the inhibition of REGγ and subsequent activation of the PKA/CREB pathway.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ginseng Research","volume":"49 2","pages":"Pages 156-165"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143445794","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Korean Red Ginseng relieves the inflammation and oxidative stress induced by pseudo-typed SARS-CoV-2","authors":"Hyeon Jin Kim ,&nbsp;Yena Oh ,&nbsp;Sohee Moon ,&nbsp;Jieun Oh ,&nbsp;Ji Hye Kim ,&nbsp;Seung Ho Lee ,&nbsp;Sun Hee Hyun ,&nbsp;Ji Hye Park ,&nbsp;Hun-kun Ko ,&nbsp;Jaehyeon Hwang ,&nbsp;Han Gyung Kim ,&nbsp;Dae-Hyuk Kweon ,&nbsp;Jae Youl Cho","doi":"10.1016/j.jgr.2024.11.004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jgr.2024.11.004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Developing antiviral agents against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has been a global goal since the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic emerged in 2019. Korean Red Ginseng (KRG), recognized for its immunomodulating and antiviral properties, may be effective against SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the efficiency of KRG in a human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2)-expressing mouse model infected with pseudo-typed SARS-CoV-2 (PSV).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The lung injury score was assessed using H&amp;E staining, and the immune cell population shift in the lung and spleen was observed through flow cytometry. Serum IgM and IgG concentrations were quantified using enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were measured by cytometric bead assay (CBA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Additionally, the expression of NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) and inflammation-related transcription factors was detected by immunoblotting. RNA-sequencing and antibody array assays reconfirmed gene expression in inflammation and oxidation.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>KRG extract was most effective in treating lung injuries and serum IgM and IgG levels. Also, immune cells, including neutrophils, were regulated in the lungs, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) levels were reduced. NLRP3 and phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB (NF-kB) and activator protein 1 (AP-1) were downregulated. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression was increased, indicating that KRG extract has antioxidant properties. RNA-sequencing and antibody array assays revealed that KRG extract regulates the expression of genes associated with inflammation and oxidative damage.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study demonstrates that KRG extract may suppress PSV-induced inflammation and oxidative stress, making it a viable antiviral functional food.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ginseng Research","volume":"49 2","pages":"Pages 166-178"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143445795","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Total saponins from Panax Japonicus regulate the ferritin heavy chain to reduce inflammation in aging adipose tissue by mediating iron metabolism","authors":"Leiqi Zhu ,&nbsp;Jihong Zhang ,&nbsp;Yaqi Hu ,&nbsp;Yifan Zhang ,&nbsp;Shuwen Wang ,&nbsp;Rui Wang ,&nbsp;Qi Yuan ,&nbsp;Yiyang Luo ,&nbsp;Ding Yuan ,&nbsp;Yumin He ,&nbsp;Chengfu Yuan","doi":"10.1016/j.jgr.2024.11.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jgr.2024.11.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Inflammation is a key factor contributing to aging-related morbidities. Inflammation is intimately linked to the iron metabolism in macrophages, and ferritin heavy chain (Fth) is the basis of iron metabolism in macrophages. Regulating Fth to control iron metabolism may help to reduce inflammation in macrophages, which can ultimately help to alleviate certain aging-related diseases.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The effects of total saponins from <em>Panax Japonicus</em> (TSPJs) in the intervention of aging-related obesity were explored. The <em>in vitro</em> and <em>in vivo</em> models were established using RAW264.7 macrophage cells and naturally aging rats and mice. The inflammation, iron content, and gene expressions of the models were analyzed. Senescence was induced in RAW264.7 cells with adriamycin (ADR), and Fth knockdown was introduced to the models to investigate related mechanisms.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>TSPJs reduced the iron content in the macrophages and prompted M2 polarization, which affected the JNK signaling pathway (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05) and reduced the expression of inflammatory cytokines in adipose tissue.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>TSPJs mediate the iron metabolism of macrophages via Fth to reduce aging-related inflammation of the adipose tissue.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ginseng Research","volume":"49 2","pages":"Pages 134-144"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143445789","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Synergistic effects of ginsenoside Rb1 and peroxiredoxin 6 in enhancing myocardial injury treatment through anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-apoptotic mechanisms","authors":"Runhong Mu ,&nbsp;Yupeng Li ,&nbsp;Yunhe Cui ,&nbsp;Chuanbo Feng ,&nbsp;Tingyu Li ,&nbsp;Tengda Liu ,&nbsp;Mingzhu Chang ,&nbsp;Xiao Guo ,&nbsp;Xingcheng Yi","doi":"10.1016/j.jgr.2024.11.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jgr.2024.11.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Aim</h3><div>Ginsenosides have notable bioactivity in treating cardiovascular diseases, but the mechanisms of their combined use with Peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6) in myocardial injury remain unclear. This study explores the synergistic effects of Ginsenoside Rb1 (Gs-Rb1) and PRDX6, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for their therapeutic potential.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We established a rat model of isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial injury and observed that combination therapy was more effective than single-drug treatments, as shown by ECG monitoring and Masson staining. We performed RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) on the combination therapy group and the ISO group. The results indicated that, compared to the ISO group, the combination therapy alleviated myocardial injury by reducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Further analyses, including cell morphology, apoptosis rates, HE staining, ROS fluorescence intensity, and inflammation-related proteins, confirmed that the combination therapy successfully inhibited apoptosis, managed oxidative stress, and lessened inflammation.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Combined treatment with Gs-Rb1 and PRDX6 significantly inhibited cardiac tissue fibrosis in rats, leading to a marked decrease in serum CK and LDH levels. RNA-seq analysis revealed upregulated genes related to lipid metabolism and small molecule biosynthesis, while downregulated genes were associated with oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Validation experiments confirmed the combined treatment's significant inhibition of apoptosis, ROS activity, and inflammation. These results support the effectiveness of the two-drug combination in suppressing key biological processes in cardiac tissue, suggesting potential mechanisms for combating cardiac fibrosis.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study clarifies how Gs-Rb1 and PRDX6 work together to protect against myocardial damage, demonstrating that their combined therapy reduces inflammation, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. This highlights a new avenue for developing ginseng-based treatments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ginseng Research","volume":"49 2","pages":"Pages 145-155"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143445791","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Korean Red Ginseng combination therapy on HIV-infected patients treated with integrase strand transfer inhibitors","authors":"Young-Keol Cho ,&nbsp;Jinny Lee ,&nbsp;Jung-Eun Kim ,&nbsp;Heungsup Sung","doi":"10.1016/j.jgr.2024.09.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jgr.2024.09.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) combined with antiretroviral therapy (ART) has shown benefits in the treatment of HIV-1-infected patients. Current guidelines recommend regimens containing integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs) as first-line treatment for these patients. The present study assessed the duration of effectiveness of ginseng combination therapy (GCT) in patients receiving INSTIs.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study included 58 HIV-1-infected patients previously untreated with monotherapy or two-drug combination therapy. Patients in the GCT (n = 26) group received ART plus KRG for 164 ± 64 months, whereas patients in the control (n = 32) group received ART alone for 128 ± 49 months. Subsequently, patients in these two groups received INSTI for 81 ± 36 months and 68 ± 26 months, respectively.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Before INSTI treatment, only one drug resistance mutation (DRM) was observed in the GCT group, compared with an overall resistance rate of 44.4 % in the control group (P &lt; 0.001). The overall resistance rate was higher in the control than in the GCT group (9.5 % vs. 0.12 %, P &lt; 0.001). During INSTI treatment, the resistance rate in the GCT group remained 0 % for over 5 years, but gradually decreased in the control group from 18.3 % to 13.9 % over 6 years, indicating that the between-group difference in resistance rate gradually decreased during INSTI treatment.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The beneficial effects of KRG were well maintained for more than 20 years, including the INSTI treatment period.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ginseng Research","volume":"48 6","pages":"Pages 603-608"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142578269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"20(S)-Ginsenoside Rh2 induces apoptosis and autophagy in melanoma cells via suppressing Src/STAT3 signaling","authors":"Jun-Kui Li ,&nbsp;Xiao-Li Jiang ,&nbsp;Zhu Zhang ,&nbsp;Wen-Qing Chen ,&nbsp;Jun-Jie Peng ,&nbsp;Bin Liu ,&nbsp;Ken-Kin-Lam Yung ,&nbsp;Pei-Li Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.jgr.2024.07.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jgr.2024.07.002","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>20(S)-Ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2) has been extensively studied for multifaceted health benefits. However, the anti-melanoma effect of GRh2 remains poorly understood. Herein, the anti-melanoma effects and underlying mechanisms of GRh2 were investigated.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>MTT assays, the EdU staining assay, flow cytometric analysis, the cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), confocal microscope analysis, molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD), immunoblotting, a B16F10 cell bearing mouse model were adopted to examine the anti-melanoma effect of mechanism of action of GRh2.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In melanoma cells, GRh2 was found to suppress cell proliferation, arrest cell cycle at G0/G1 phase and evoke apoptosis. GRh2 initiated autophagy and inhibited the activity of mTOR, the autophagy negative regulator, in melanoma cells. Repressing autophagy enhanced the anti-melanoma efficacy of GRh2. Molecular docking, MD and CETSA studies revealed that GRh2 stably bound to Src protein (one of the upstream kinases of STAT3). GRh2 suppressed Src and STAT3 activities, thereof prohibiting STAT3 nuclear translocation in melanoma cells. STAT3 over-activation attenuated the cytotoxic, apoptotic and autophagy inductive effects of GRh2. Additionally, GRh2 suppressed B16F10 tumor growth without inducing obvious toxicity in mice. It downregulated phospho-Src, phospho-STAT3, phospho-mTOR and Mcl-1 protein levels, while elevated cleaved-PARP and LC3B-II protein levels in B16F10 tumors.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>GRh2 exerts anti-melanoma effects through suppressing Src/STAT3 signaling. This study advances our understanding on the anti-melanoma mechanism of GRh2 and indicates that the intake of GRh2 has the potential to retard melanoma progression.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":16035,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Ginseng Research","volume":"48 6","pages":"Pages 559-569"},"PeriodicalIF":6.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141851169","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}