Ginsenoside M1 Induces Apoptosis and Inhibits the Migration of Human Oral Cancer Cells

Abstract

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) accounts for 5.8% of all malignancies in Taiwan, and the incidence of OSCC is on the rise. OSCC is also a common malignancy worldwide, and the five-year survival rate remains poor. Therefore, new and effective treatments are needed to control OSCC. In the present study, we prepared ginsenoside M1 (20-O-beta-d-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol), a major deglycosylated metabolite of ginsenoside, through the biotransformation of Panax notoginseng leaves by the fungus SP-LSL-002. We investigated the anti-OSCC activity and associated mechanisms of ginsenoside M1 in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrated that ginsenoside M1 dose-dependently inhibited the viability of human OSCC SAS and OEC-M1 cells. To gain further insight into the mode of action of ginsenoside M1, we demonstrated that ginsenoside M1 increased the expression levels of Bak, Bad, and p53 and induced apoptotic DNA breaks, G1 phase arrest, PI/Annexin V double-positive staining, and caspase-3/9 activation. In addition, we demonstrated that ginsenoside M1 dose-dependently inhibited the colony formation and migration ability of SAS and OEC-M1 cells and reduced the expression of metastasis-related protein vimentin. Furthermore, oral administration or subcutaneous injection of ginsenoside M1 significantly reduced tumor growth in SAS xenograft mice. These results indicate that ginsenoside M1 can be translated into a potential therapeutic against OSCC.

Protopanaxadiol improves endometriosis associated infertility and miscarriage in sex hormones receptors-dependent and independent manners

“…Protopanaxadiol (PPD) is one of two metabolites of ginsenoside, the main components extracted from ginseng. There are many reports about PPD used to treat various tumors, cardiovascular diseases 28 , 29 . Additionally, our previous study has showed that PPD suppresses ER-mediated inhibition of endometriotic cells autophagy, contributing to anti-EMs effects 30 .…”

Potential Oral Health Benefits of Ginseng and Its Extracts

“…Researchers investigated that ginsenoside M1 caused an increase in Bak, Bad, and p53 expression and induced apoptotic DNA fragmentation. 41 It also caused PI/Annexin V double positive staining and caspase 3-9 activation, which led to apoptosis of oral cancer cell. Additionally, ginsenoside M1 inhibited cancer cell migration and colony formation, whilst decreasing the expression of vimentin and metastasis.…”

Advances in Small Molecular Agents against Oral Cancer

“…Zhang et al [98] found that 20(S)-ginsenoside Rh2 (63) induces the apoptosis and inhibits the growth of OCC by inducing G0/G phase arrest and significantly down-regulating the levels of p-Src, p-B-Raf, and p-ERK1/2 proteins. Li et al [99] found that ginsenoside M1 induces cell apoptosis by increasing the expression of pro-apoptotic protein p53, promoting DNA breakage, and inhibiting the cell cycle. In addition, ginsenoside M1 (64) dose-dependently inhibits the colony formation and migration of SAS and OEC-M1 cells and reduces the expression of the transfer-related protein vimentin.…”