Ginsenoside-Rg5 induces apoptosis and DNA damage in human cervical cancer cells

Abstract

Panax ginseng is traditionally used as a remedy for cancer, inflammation, stress and aging, and ginsenoside-Rg5 is a major bioactive constituent of steamed ginseng. The present study aimed to evaluate whether ginsenoside-Rg5 had any marked cytotoxic, apoptotic or DNA-damaging effects in human cervical cancer cells. Five human cervical cancer cell lines (HeLa, MS751, C33A, Me180 and HT-3) were used to investigate the cytotoxicity of ginsenoside-Rg5 using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Additionally, the effects of ginsenoside-Rg5 on the apoptosis of HeLa and MS751 cells were detected using DNA ladder assays and flow cytometry. DNA damage was assessed in the HeLa and MS751 cells using alkaline comet assays and by detection of γH2AX focus formation. The HeLa and MS751 cells were significantly more sensitive to ginsenoside-Rg5 treatment compared with the C-33A, HT-3 and Me180 cells. As expected, ginsenoside-Rg5 induced significant concentration- and time-dependent increases in apoptosis. In addition, ginsenoside-Rg5 induced significant concentration-dependent increases in the level of DNA damage compared with the negative control. Consistent with the comet assay data, the percentage of γH2AX-positive HeLa and MS751 cells also revealed that ginsenoside-Rg5 caused DNA double-strands to break in a concentration-dependent manner. In conclusion, ginsenoside-Rg5 had marked genotoxic effects in the HeLa and MS751 cells and, thus, demonstrates potential as a genotoxic or cytotoxic drug for the treatment of cervical cancer.

Ginsenoside Rg5 Ameliorates Cisplatin-Induced Nephrotoxicity in Mice through Inhibition of Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Apoptosis

“…In the present work, the result that ginsenoside Rg5 with low dosage of 10 mg/kg daily can exhibit so good protective effect on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity may be due to its good absorption. Recently, Liang et al, have reported that ginsenoside Rg5 had marked genotoxic effects on five human cervical cancer cell lines [ 51 ], however, it exerted contrast cisplatin’s genotoxicity on kidney. This may be because ginsenosides show bidirectional regulation effect on body.…”

The Preparation of Ginsenoside Rg5, Its Antitumor Activity against Breast Cancer Cells and Its Targeting of PI3K

“…In our study, we first converted the major ginsenoside Rb1 to Rg3 by enzymatic bioconversion and, then, transformed ginsenoside Rg3 to Rg5 with acid-assisted high-temperature and high-pressure processing, as Rg5 is a rare ginsenoside that is more active in ginseng. Furthermore, previous studies have highlighted that Rg5 performs an effective and desirable approach for the treatment of cancers [17]. In this study, Rg5 exhibited an evident antitumor effect through apoptosis and autophagy mediated by the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in human breast cancer.…”

Increase in apoptotic effect of Panax ginseng by microwave processing in human prostate cancer cells: in vitro and in vivo studies

“…The roles of DNA damage, autophagy, and apoptosis have highly researched and reviewed for cancer prevention in ginseng research [15] , [16] , [17] , [18] , [19] . PARP inhibitors are currently undergoing clinical evaluation in advanced sporadic prostate cancer both as a single agent and in combination with multiple chemopreventive agents.…”