Impairment of preimplantation and postimplantation embryonic development through intrinsic apoptotic processes by ginsenoside Rg1 in vitro and in vivo

Ginsenoside Rg1, which is the most abundant compound found in Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), has demonstrated various pharmacological actions, including neuroprotective, immune‐stimulatory, and antidiabetic effects. Pregnant women, especially in the Asian community, consume ginseng as a nutritive supplement. Thus, the effects of ginsenoside‐Rg1 on embryonic development need to be investigated, such as in a mouse model. As previous investigations have found that ginsenoside Rg1 appears to either trigger or prevent apoptosis in different cell lines, the effects of this agent on apoptosis remain to be clarified. In this study, we investigated whether ginsenoside Rg1 exerts a hazardous effect on mouse blastocysts and/or affects subsequent embryonic development in vitro and in vivo. Blastocysts treated with 25–100 μM ginsenoside Rg1 exhibited significant induction of apoptosis and a corresponding decrease in the inner cell mass (ICM) cell number. Importantly, the implantation rate was lower among ginsenoside Rg1‐treated blastocysts compared to untreated controls. Moreover, embryo transfer assays revealed that blastocysts treated with 100 μM ginsenoside Rg1 exhibited increased resorption of postimplantation embryos and decreased weight among surviving fetuses. In vivo, intravenous injection of mice with ginsenoside Rg1 (2, 4, or 6 mg/kg body weight/day) for 4 days was associated with increased apoptosis of blastocyst‐stage embryos and negatively impacted early embryonic development. Further experiments revealed that these effects may reflect the ability of ginsenoside Rg1 to trigger oxidative stress‐mediated intrinsic apoptotic signaling. Our in vitro results indicate that ginsenoside Rg1 treatment increases intracellular oxidative stress, decreases mitochondrial membrane potential, increases the Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio, and activates caspase‐9 and caspase‐3, but not caspase‐8. Taken together, our study results strongly suggest that ginsenoside Rg1 induces apoptosis and impairs the early preimplantation and postimplantation development of mouse embryos, both in vitro and in vivo.     

Dosage‐related beneficial and deleterious effects of ginsenoside Rb1 on mouse oocyte maturation and fertilization and fetal development

Ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1), the major saponin component of ginseng root, has a wide range of therapeutic applications for various diseases. Previously, our group showed that GRb1 triggers ROS‐mediated apoptotic cascades in mouse blastocysts, leading to decreased cell viability and impairment of pre‐ and postimplantation embryonic development, both in vitro and in vivo. In this study, we further found that GRb1 exerted dose‐dependent effects on oocyte maturation and sequent development in vitro. Oocytes preincubated with 25 μg/mL GRB1 displayed significantly enhanced maturation and in vitro fertilization (IVF) rates, along with progression of subsequent embryonic development. In contrast, treatment with 50 and 100 μg/mL GRB1 led to impairment of mouse oocyte maturation, decreased IVF rates, and injurious effects on subsequent embryonic development. In vivo, intravenous injection of 1 mg/kg body weight GRb1 significantly promoted mouse oocyte maturation, IVF, and early‐stage embryo development after fertilization while administration of 5 mg/kg body weight GRb1 led to a marked decrease in oocyte maturation and IVF rates concomitant with impairment of early embryonic development in our animal model. In terms of the mechanisms underlying the regulatory effects of GRb1 demonstrated increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and apoptosis in the 100 μg/mL GRb1 treatment group. However, we observed a significant decrease in total intracellular ROS content and inhibition of apoptosis events in the 25 μg/mL GRb1 treatment group, signifying that the intracellular ROS content serves as a key upstream regulator of GRb1 that influences its dose‐dependent beneficial or deleterious effects on oocyte maturation and sequent embryonic development. For further clarification of the mechanisms underlying GRb1‐triggered injurious effects, oocytes were pretreated with Ac‐DEVD‐CHO, a caspase‐3‐specific inhibitor, which effectively blocked injury to oocyte maturation, fertilization, and sequent development. In sum, study findings highlight the potential involvement of p53‐, p21‐, and caspase‐3‐dependent regulatory signaling cascades in GRb1‐mediated apoptotic processes.     

Berberine impairs embryonic development in vitro and in vivo through oxidative stress‐mediated apoptotic processes

Berberine, an isoquinoline alkaloid isolated from several traditional Chinese herbal medicines, has been shown to suppress growth and induce apoptosis in some tumor cell lines. However, berberine has also been reported to attenuate H₂O₂‐induced oxidative injury and apoptosis. The basis for these ambiguous effects of berberine—triggering or preventing apoptosis—has not been well characterized to date. In the current investigation, we examined whether berberine exerts cytotoxic effects on mouse embryos at the blastocyst stage and affects subsequent embryonic development in vitro and in vivo. Treatment of blastocysts with berberine (2.5‐10 μM) induced a significant increase in apoptosis and a corresponding decrease in trophectoderm cell number. Moreover, the implantation success rate of blastocysts pretreated with berberine was lower than that of their control counterparts. Pretreatment with berberine was also associated with increased resorption of postimplantation embryos and decreased fetal weight. In an animal model, intravenous injection of berberine (2, 4, or 6 mg/kg body weight/d) for 4 days resulted in apoptosis of blastocyst cells and early embryonic developmental injury. Berberine‐induced injury of mouse blastocysts appeared to be attributable to oxidative stress‐triggered intrinsic apoptotic signaling processes that impaired preimplantation and postimplantation embryonic development. Taken together, our results clearly demonstrate that berberine induces apoptosis and retards early preimplantation and postimplantation development of mouse embryos, both in vitro and in vivo.     

Prevention of ochratoxin A‐induced oxidative stress‐mediated apoptotic processes and impairment of embryonic development in mouse blastocysts by liquiritigenin

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a mycotoxin constituent of a range of food commodities, including coffee, wine, beer, grains, and spices, exerts toxicological and pathological effects in vivo, such as nephrotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, and immunotoxicity. In a previous report, we highlighted the potential of OTA to induce apoptosis via reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in mouse blastocysts that led to impaired preimplantation and postimplantation embryo development in vitro and in vivo. Here, we have shown that liquiritigenin (LQ), a type of flavonoid isolated from Glycyrrhiza radix, effectively protects against OTA‐mediated apoptosis and inhibition of cell proliferation in mouse blastocysts. Preincubation of blastocysts with LQ clearly prevented OTA‐triggered impairment of preimplantation and postimplantation embryonic development and fetal weight loss, both in vitro and in vivo. Detailed investigation of regulatory mechanisms revealed that OTA mediated apoptosis and embryotoxicity through ROS generation, loss of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and activation of caspase‐9 and caspase‐3, which were effectively prevented by LQ. The embryotoxic effects of OTA were further validated in an animal model in vivo. Intravenous injection of dams with OTA (3 mg/kg/day) led to apoptosis of blastocysts, impairment of embryonic development from zygote to blastocyst stage and decrease in day 18 fetal weight. Notably, preinjection of dams with LQ (5 mg/kg/day) effectively prevented OTA‐induced apoptosis and toxic effects on embryo development. Our collective results clearly demonstrate that OTA exposure via injection has the potential to damage preimplantation and postimplantation embryonic development against which LQ has a protective effect.     

高效液相色谱法测定三七血伤宁散中三七皂苷R1、人参皂苷Rg1和Rb1的含量

目的建立高效液相色谱法测定三七血伤宁散中三七皂苷R1、人参皂苷Rg1和人参皂苷Rb1的含量。方法采用色谱柱ODSHypersil C18柱（4．6mm×250mm,5μm）,以乙腈（A）-水（B）为流动相,进行梯度洗脱（0～25min,20％A,25-75min,20％～35％A）,流速：1．0mL·min^-1,柱温：35℃,检测波长：203nm。结果三七皂苷R1在0．225-5．625μg与峰面积线性关系良好,r=1．0000,平均加样回收率为100．06％,人参皂苷Rg1在2．076=20．76μg与峰面积线性关系良好,r=0．9997,平均加样回收率为99．92％,人参皂苷Rb1在2．056～20．56魑与峰面积线性关系良好,r=0．9998,平均加样回收率为96．91％。结论本法准确可靠、灵敏度高、重现性好,可作为该产品质量控制的方法。     

人参皂苷Rb1在胃液和肠液pH下的稳定性考察

目的建立人参皂苷Rb1的HPLC测定方法,考察人参皂苷Rb1在胃液和肠液pH值下的稳定性.方法人参皂苷Rb1测定以SHIMADZU-ODS(250 mm×4.6 mm,5μm)为固定相,乙腈-水(3565,V/V)为流动相,紫外检测波长203 nm.分别考察人参皂苷Rb1在胃液、肠液pH值下的稳定性,同时采用液质联用技术分析人参皂苷Rb1在酸性条件下的降解产物.结果人参皂苷Rb1进样量在60～600 mg·L-1范围内线性关系良好,r=0.999 9(n=6).低、中、高浓度下回收率分别为99.25%,100.01%,100.39%,日内、日间RSD均＜2%(n=5).人参皂苷Rb1在肠液pH值下相对稳定,在胃液pH值下迅速降解,降解产物可能为人参皂苷Rb1失去1个或2个糖的产物.结论本实验分析方法灵敏、准确、重现性好;人参皂苷Rb1在胃液pH值下不稳定.     

高效液相色谱法测定注射用肌萎灵中人参皂苷Rg1、Re、Rb1的含量

目的:建立高效液相色谱(HPLC)法测定肌萎灵冻干粉中人参皂苷Rg1、Re、Rb1的含量的方法。方法:采用Symme-try@C18(4.6mm×250mm,5μm)色谱柱,流动相为乙腈-水梯度洗脱流速1.0mL.min-1;柱温30℃;检测波长203nm。结果:人参皂苷Rg1、Re、Rb1分别在0.96~4.80,0.84~4.20,1.164~5.820μg范围内呈良好的线性关系,3种皂苷的平均回收率分别为98.62%(RSD为2.32%),99.19%(RSD为3.14%),100.17%(RSD为2.44%)。结论:该方法简便快捷,准确可靠,为肌萎灵冻干粉的质量控制提供了依据。     

人参皂苷Rb1对H_2O_2诱导新生大鼠心肌细胞凋亡的保护作用

目的观察人参皂苷Rb1对H2O2诱导的新生大鼠心肌细胞凋亡的保护作用,并探讨其可能作用机制。方法在培养的新生大鼠心肌细胞上建立H2O2损伤模型,观察不同剂量组人参皂苷Rb1(20、40、80mg·L-1)对心肌细胞凋亡率、丙二醛(MDA)含量,超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性,以及细胞内钙离子变化的影响。结果不同剂量组人参皂苷Rb1可以减少心肌细胞凋亡率、降低MDA含量、增加SOD活性、减少细胞内钙超载。结论人参皂苷Rb1可以抑制H2O2引起的新生大鼠心肌细胞凋亡,其作用机制可能与其抗脂质氧化和减少细胞内钙超载有关。     

HPLC法测定活血舒脉胶囊中人参皂苷Rg_1、Rb_1及三七皂苷R_1的含量

目的考察活血舒脉胶囊中人参皂苷Rg1、Rb1及三七皂苷R1的含量,为制订活血舒脉胶囊质量标准提供科学的实验依据。方法采用HPLC法对10个批号的活血舒脉胶囊中人参皂苷Rg1、Rb1及三七皂苷R1进行含量测定。结果10批样品中人参皂苷Rg1、Rb1、三七皂苷R1最低含量分别为14.862、14.258、2.864mg.g-1;RSD分别为2.53%、1.12%、2.11%。结论10批样品测定结果表明各成分含量稳定,RSD均小于3.0%,可以作为制订活血舒脉胶囊质量标准的依据。     

高效液相梯度法测定红花牡丹膏中人参皂苷Rg1、Rb1、Re及三七皂苷R1的含量

目的:建立红花牡丹膏中有效成分的含量测定方法。方法:采用高效液相色谱梯度法测定红花牡丹膏中有效成分含量。结果:三七中人参皂苷Rg1、Rb1、Re及三七皂苷R14种成分均达到良好分离,在测定范围内线性良好,回收率在98%~101%之间。结论:所建立的定量方法简便可行、重复性好,可用于红花牡丹膏的质量监控。     

HPLC法测定三七药材中3种皂苷的含量

目的采用高效液相色谱法同时测定三七中三七皂苷R1、人参皂苷Rg1、人参皂苷Rb1的含量.方法采用luna C18(2)分析柱;以(A)乙腈-(B)0.05%磷酸二元线性梯度洗脱:0～8 min(20%A∶80%B),8～20 min(20%A～40%A)∶(80%B～60%B),20～30 min(40%A～20%A)∶(60%B～80%B),检测波长203 nm.结果测得三七皂苷R1、人参皂苷Rg1、人参皂苷Rb1的回收率分别是(97.7±1.6)%、(98.6±1.1)%、(99.2±0.8)%.线性范围分别是:三七皂苷R112～150 μg·mL-1(r=0.9990)、人参皂苷Rg140～500 μg·mL-1(r=0.999 4)、人参皂苷Rb144～550 μg·mL-1(r=0.999 7).结论采用高效液相色谱梯度洗脱法能将多种皂苷很好地分离检测,方法准确可靠,重复性好,结果稳定.     

抑郁症大鼠海马-杏仁核pMAP-2表达改变及人参皂苷Rb1的干预作用

目的 研究人参皂苷Rb1对抑郁大鼠海马-杏仁核组织微管相关蛋白-2（MAP-2）磷酸化的影响,探讨人参皂苷Rb1抗抑郁作用的可能机制。方法 选用30只成年Wistar大鼠,随机分为对照组、模型组和治疗组。采用慢性不可预性温和应激结合孤养方法建立大鼠抑郁症模型,治疗组同时给予人参皂苷Rb1。采用Western blot方法检测海马、杏仁核组织MAP-2及pMAP-2表达,Real-time PCR检测mRNA表达。结果 模型组大鼠海马和杏仁核组织MAP-2磷酸化程度和mRNA表达水平明显低于对照组（P < 0.05）,治疗组表达明显升高,但仍低于对照组（P < 0.05）。结论 人参皂苷Rb1抗抑郁作用可能与影响海马、杏仁核MAP-2磷酸化有关     

HPLC-ELSD法测定消栓通络胶囊中三七皂苷R1、人参皂苷Rg1和人参皂苷Rb1的含量

目的 采用高效液相色谱蒸发光散射检测器(HPLC-ELSD)法测定消栓通络胶囊中三七皂苷R1、人参皂苷Rg1和人参皂苷Rb1的含量.方法 以乙腈-水为流动相梯度洗脱(0～12 min,水80％-65％),Hypersil ODS柱(4.6 mm×250 mm,5 μm)为固定相,流速为1.0 mL·min-1,ELSD参数:漂移管温度:45℃,载气流量:1.5L·min1.结果 三七皂苷R1、人参皂苷Rg1和人参皂苷Rb1的回收率分别为96.7、96.4％和97.7％,RSD分别为1.6％、1.4％和2.2％.结论 该方法简便、快速、重现性好,可用于消栓通络胶囊的质量控制.     

Influence of ginsenoside Rb1 on brain neurosteroid during acute immobilization stress

This study examined whether or not acute stress is linked to increases in the neurosteroid levels, which is a well-known neurotransmitters associated with stress stimuli. The ginsenoside, Rb1, was tested in order to better understand its potential effects on altering the neurosteroid levels and ultimately attenuating stress. The optimal stressed condition was checked by measuring the 5a-dihydroprogesterone (DHP) and allopregnanolone (THP) levels in the brain after immobilization stress at various times. Based on this result, an acute stress model was set up to give 30 min of immobilization stress. The DHP and THP brain levels of the stressed mice were then investigated after administering Rb1 orally (10 mg/kg). These results were compared with the neurosteroid level in the stressed mice not given Rbl. Saline was administered orally to the nonstressed mice to check the placebo effect. Acute immobilization stress induced an increase in the THP and DHP concentration in the frontal cortex and cerebellum. When Rb1 was administered orally prior to immobilization stress, the THP level in the frontal cortex and cerebellum was significantly lower than that in the stressed animals not given Rbl. On the other hand, the DHP level was lower in the cerebellum only. This suggests that the metabolism of the brain neurosteroids is linked to psychological stress, and Rb1 attenuates the stress-induced increase in neurosteroids.     

人参皂苷Rg1可能通过抗氧化作用来保护帕金森病鼠黑质神经元

研究人参皂苷Rgl对1—甲基—4—苯基—1，2，3，6—四氢吡啶(1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine,MPTP)诱导的小鼠黑质神经元凋亡的抗氧化保护作用。方法：采用MPTP制备帕金森病(PD)小鼠模型，经人参皂苷Rg1预处理后，用尼氏(Nissl)染色和TH组化染色观察黑质神经元的存活情况，通过活化型Caspase3的免疫组化染色和TUNEL染色了解黑质神经元的凋亡情况，并用生化技术对黑质区域谷胱甘肽（GSH)浓度及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活力进行检测。结果：人参皂苷Rg1预处理能提高黑质区域GSH的浓度及降低SOD活力，相应地减少PD鼠黑质致密带Nissl阳性神经元和TH阳性神经元的脱失现象，使活化型Caspase3表达阳性细胞减少，降低黑质神经元TUNEL染色的阳性率。结论：人参皂苷Rg1可能对MPTP诱导的小鼠黑质神经元凋亡有抗氧化保护作用。     

心灵丸中三七皂苷R1、人参皂苷Rg和Rb1的含量测定

目的建立同时测定心灵丸中三七皂苷R1、人参皂苷Rg1和人参皂苷Rb1含量的高效液相色谱（HPLC）法。方法色谱柱为Agilent Hypersil ODS柱（250mm×4．0mm,5μm）,流动相A为乙腈,B为水,梯度洗脱（0min 19％A→12min 19％A→60min 36％A）,流速为1．0mL／min,检测波长为203nm。结果三七皂苷R1进样量在0．1378～2．7560μg范围内与峰面积线性关系良好,r=0．9997,平均回收率为98．95％,RSD为0．67％;人参皂苷Rg1进样量在0．5672-11．3440μg范围内与峰面积线性关系良好,r=0．9999,平均回收率为99．10％,RSD为0．29％;人参皂苷Rb1进样量在0．4186～8．3720μg范围内与峰面积线性关系良好,r=0．9999,平均回收率为99．02％,RSD为0．42％。结论HPLC法简便准确、专属性强,可用于心灵丸的质量控制。     

高效液相色谱法同时测定三七总皂苷中人参皂苷Rg_1、Re、Rb_1与三七皂苷R_1含量

目的建立高效液相色谱法同时测定三七总皂苷中人参皂苷Rg1、Re、Rb1与三七皂苷R1的方法。方法采用高效液相色谱法 ,固定相为氨基键合相 ,流动相为乙腈 水 ( 81∶1 9,V∶V) ,检测波长2 0 3nm。结果三七总皂苷中人参皂苷Rg1、Re、Rb1和三七皂苷R1与其他成分分离良好 ,保留时间分别约为 5 7min、8 9min、2 5 1min和 9 9min。人参皂苷Rg1在 80～ 2 80mg/L(r =0 9992 )、Re在 2 0～ 1 80mg/L(r=0 9993 )、Rb1在 95～ 2 85mg/L(r=0 9991 )、三七皂苷R1在1 8～ 1 4 6mg/L(r=0 9991 )内线性关系良好 ,人参皂苷Rg1、Re、Rb1和三七皂苷R1的回收率分别为 99 1 %、98 4 %、98 6%和 97 1 % ,RSD分别为 2 1 %、2 0 %、2 2 %、2 8%。结论本法可用于三七的质量控制