Ginsenoside Rg1 Attenuates Eccentric Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage via the Modulation of Lipid Peroxidation and Inflammation

Eccentric exercise (EE) may lead to skeletal muscle injury, including oxidative stress and inflammation induction. Ginsenoside Rg1, a glycosylated triterpene present in the traditional Chinese medicine ginseng, was previously shown to prevent the development of multiple diseases through the attenuation of oxidative stress and inflammation. Therefore, this article hopes to investigate whether Rg1 exhibits anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage (EEIMD). Additionally, Adult male Wistar rats were intraperitoneally injected with Rg1 (20 or 40 mg/kg) every day before EE for 5 consecutive days. The impact of Rg1 administration on levels of serum creatine kinase was evaluated, followed by observation of histological muscle damage through H&E staining. To assess protein nitrotyrosylation, lipid peroxidation and leukocyte infiltration in rat skeletal muscles, the levels of nitrotyrosine, MDA and MPO protein were analysed through western blotting analysis. The inflammatory response was evaluated by detecting iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1 and TNF-α mRNA and protein levels in rat skeletal muscles. The regulation of Rg1 on the NF-κB pathway was examined through the analysis of phosphorylated NF-κB p65 and IκBα protein levels. Result display, EE resulted in elevated serum creatine kinase levels, widespread leukocyte infiltration, and notable muscle cell vacuolization and fragmentation in muscles. Furthermore, EE increased nitrotyrosine, MDA, MPO, iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1, and TNF-α levels in rats. However, these changes were reversed by Rg1 treatment. Furthermore, EE-induced upregulation in phosphorylated NF-κB p65 and IκBα levels was counteracted by Rg1. Overall, ginsenoside Rg1 plays an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory role in EEIMD through suppressing this NF-κB signaling pathway.