ginsenoside-rg5 and Stomach-Neoplasms

To investigate the effects of ginsenoside Rg5 on the proliferation, cycle and invasion of gastric carcinoma cell lines, providing experimental evidence for the anti-tumor mechanism of ginsenoside Rg5.. In this experimental study, the human immortalized normal gastric mucosa cell GES-1 and gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines AGS and MKN-45 were treated with Rg3 and Rg5 at the concentrations of 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 μmol/L for 24 h, 3 parallel holes were set for each group. A cell viability test, cell cycle analysis, transwell assay, ELISA and immunoblotting were performed.. The viabilities of AGS and MKN-45 were suppressed by Rg3 and Rg5 in a concentration-dependent manner. The activity of Rg5 against gastric cancer cells was stronger than that of Rg3, and its toxicity to GES-1 was lower than that of Rg3. After the treatment of 20 μmol/L of Rg5 for 24 h, Rg5 could generate cell cycle S phase arresting by decreasing the CyclinA1/cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2)/proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) complex production and increasing the P21. These results suggest that Rg5 exhibits stronger anti-cancer activity than Rg3 in gastric cancer cells, and has higher anti-gastric cancer cell activity than Rg3 and inhibits cell proliferation and migration by regulating the Notch1 pathway.

Topics: Apoptosis; Cell Cycle; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Movement; Cell Proliferation; Ginsenosides; Humans; Stomach Neoplasms

Ginsenoside Rg5, a rare saponin belonging to the family of protopanaxadiol ginsenosides, has been demonstrated to have potential anti-tumor effects in various cancers. However, the effect of Rg5 on human gastric cancer and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In this study, Rg5 could suppress cell proliferation by causing G2/M phase arrest. Treatment with Rg5 could induce apoptosis through the extrinsic death receptor and intrinsic mitochondrial pathways. Autophagy induction was demonstrated by the formation of autophagosomes and autophagy-related proteins. Rg5-induced cell death was inhibited by the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA and apoptosis inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK. Moreover, the suppression of apoptosis weakened Rg5-induced autophagy, while the inhibition of autophagy attenuated Rg5-induced apoptosis. Further studies revealed that Rg5 induced ROS production and activated MAPK signaling pathways. The ROS scavenger NAC markedly diminished G2/M arrest, apoptosis, autophagy and activation of MAPK pathways induced by Rg5. The p38 inhibitor SB203580 or knockdown of p38 by siRNA clearly reversed Rg5-induced apoptosis and G2/M arrest. The JNK inhibitor SP600125 or knockdown of JNK by siRNA markedly attenuated Rg5-induced G2/M arrest, apoptosis and autophagy. The inhibition of ERK inhibitor U0126 or knockdown of ERK by siRNA clearly restored Rg5-induced apoptosis and autophagy. Finally, Rg5 significantly suppressed the growth of xenograft gastric tumors with fewer side effects. Overall, the evidence suggested that Rg5 is a novel and promising strategy for the treatment of gastric cancer owing to its high efficacy, multiple mechanisms and fewer side effects.

Topics: Animals; Apoptosis; Autophagy; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; G2 Phase Cell Cycle Checkpoints; Ginsenosides; Humans; MAP Kinase Signaling System; Mice; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Mice, Nude; Reactive Oxygen Species; Stomach Neoplasms; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays