Inhibitory Effect of Tumor Metastasis in Mice by Saponins, Ginsenoside-Rb2, 20(R)- and 20(S)-Ginsenoside-Rg3, of Red ginseng.

Abstract

We examined the inhibitory effect of two saponin preparations from Red ginseng, 20(R)- and 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3, in comparison with that of ginsenoside-Rb2, on lung metastasis produced by two highly metastatic tumor cells, B16-BL6 melanoma and colon 26-M3.1 carcinoma, in syngeneic mice. In an in vitro analysis, both saponin preparations showed a significant inhibition of adhesion to fibronectin (FN) and laminin (LM) by B16-BL6 melanoma. Similarly, they significantly inhibited the invasion of B16-BL6 cells into the reconstituted basement membrane (Matrigel)/FN in a dose-dependent manner. In an experimental metastasis model using B16-BL6 melanoma, consecutive intravenous (i.v.) administrations of 100 micrograms/mouse of 20(R)- or 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3 1, 2, 3 and 4 d after tumor inoculation led to a significant decrease in lung metastasis. The inhibitory effect of i.v. administration of both ginseng saponins on the tumor metastasis of B16-BL6 melanoma was also recognized in a low dose of 10 micrograms/mouse. The oral administration (p.o.) of both saponins (100-1000 micrograms/mouse) induced a significant decrease in lung metastasis of B16-BL6 melanoma. Moreover, both ginseng saponins were effective in inhibiting of lung metastasis produced by colon 26-M3.1 carcinoma. When 20(R)- or 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3 was orally administered consecutively after tumor inoculation in a spontaneous metastasis model using B16-BL6 melanoma, both of them significantly inhibited lung metastasis. In the experiment involving neovasculization by tumor cells in vivo, both mice groups given each saponin preparation after tumor inoculation exhibited a significant decrease in the number of blood vessels oriented toward the tumor mass, with no repression of tumor size. These findings suggest that both ginseng saponins, 20(R)- and 20(S)-ginsenoside-Rg3, possess an ability to inhibit the lung metastasis of tumor cells, and the mechanism of their antimetastatic effect is related to inhibition of the adhesion and invasion of tumor cells, and also to anti-angiogenesis activity.

20(S)-Ginsenoside Rg3-induced apoptosis in HT-29 colon cancer cells is associated with AMPK signaling pathway

“…This in turn results in the activation of downstream caspase-3, which cleaves ParP (24,25). recent data indicate that the mitochondrial pathway is controlled and regulated by Bcl-2 family protein (5,(22)(23)(24)(25). Bcl-2 family proteins such as Bcl-2 and Bax have been identified as major regulators in controlling the release of mitochondrial cytochrome c (26).…”

Ginsenoside Rg1 protects mouse podocytes from aldosterone-induced injury in vitro

“…Ginsenoside-Rg1 (Rg1) is an active ingredient isolated from panax notoginsenoside (PNS) and has extensive pharmacological actions, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties [23,24] . After either oral or intravenous administration of PNS, the Rg1 concentration in the kidney is high [25] .…”

Quality Characteristics of Ginseng Coffee Treated by Coating of White Ginseng Extract

“…The chemical structure of ginsenoside has been elucidated by Shibata et al [2]. Ginsenoside has been shown to possess anti-diabetic activity [3], antitumor effects [4], and antioxidant activity [5], to prevent arteriosclerosis and hypertension [6,7] and improve liver function [8], to have anti-fatigue and anti-stress activity [9,10] as well as anti-inflammatory effects [11] and to improve allergic conditions and protein synthesis activity [12,13]. Ginseng is grown for 4~6 years and harvested from August to October.…”

“…Conversely, ginseng production in Korea has been decreasing, and the market share of Korean ginseng is uncertain under controls by the World Trade Organization. Under these difficulties, solutions to increase the production and sale of Korean ginseng are needed, as is research to develop high-quality Korean ginseng products as functional foods or medicines distinct from those produced in other countries [16,17]. In addition, Korea ranks eleventh in the world in terms of coffee consumption (300 cups of coffee per person in a year), and thus the Korean coffee industry must keep pace with demand.…”