人参果皂苷注射液对实验性高血糖的影响

目的: 研究人参果皂苷注射液（IGFS）的降血糖作用。方法: ① 以1.5%四氧嘧啶造成大鼠实验性高血糖模型后,IGFS按7.5、15.0、30.0 mg•kg^-1剂量给大鼠腹腔注射14 d,测定IGFS治疗性给药后空腹血糖（FBG）、肝糖原和血清丙二醛（MDA）含量及超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活性;② IGFS按10、20、40 mg•kg^-1剂量给小鼠腹腔注射7 d,以0.1%肾上腺素建立小鼠实验性高血糖模型,测定动物的FBG及肝糖原含量;③ IGFS按7.5、15.0、30.0 mg•kg^-1剂量给正常大鼠腹腔注射7 d,观察FBG、血清胰岛素水平及C-肽含量,计算胰岛素敏感指数（ISI）。结果：与模型组比较,IGFS [JP3]7.5、15.0、30.0 mg•kg^-1治疗性给药14 d,四氧嘧啶性高血糖大鼠FBG及血清MDA含量降低（P<0.05）,肝糖原含量及SOD活性明显提高（P<0.01）;与模型组比较,IGFS 20.0、40.0 mg•kg^-1预防性给药7 d,肾上腺素性高血糖小鼠FBG明显降低（P<0.01）,肝糖原含量明显升高（P<0.05）;IGFS 7.5、15.0、30.0 mg•kg^-1预防性给药7 d,正常大鼠血清C-肽含量比对照组明显增加（P<0.05或P<0.01）,但对FBG、血清胰岛素含量及ISI均无明显影响。结论：IGFS对四氧嘧啶及肾上腺素所致的实验性高血糖均具有明显降糖作用,可能与其清除自由基、抑制脂质过氧化及增加葡萄糖的转化和利用有关。     

参芪地黄汤联合缬沙坦治疗气阴两虚型早期糖尿病肾病的临床疗效

目的探讨参芪地黄汤联合缬沙坦治疗气阴两虚型早期糖尿病肾病的临床疗效。方法选取2013-01~2014-12该院收治的70例气阴两虚型早期糖尿病肾病患者为研究对象,根据治疗方法的不同分为对照组30例和观察组40例。两组患者均给予糖尿病常规治疗,对照组增加缬沙坦80 mg/次,1次/d。观察组给予参芪地黄汤联合缬沙坦治疗。均连续用药8周。比较两组疗效、治疗前后中医证候积分及不良反应。结果观察组显效23例,有效15例,无效2例。对照组显效13例,有效9例,无效8例。观察组疗效优于对照组(P0.05)。观察组治疗后中医证候积分低于对照组(P0.01)。观察组并发症发生率为0.00%,低于对照组的3.33%,但差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论采用参芪地黄汤联合缬沙坦治疗气阴两虚型早期糖尿病肾病临床效果显著,可改善中医证候,且不良反应发生率较低,安全可靠。     

Preventive and Therapeutic Roles of Ginseng - Focus on Colon Cancer

Colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent diseases all over the world. Early screening and start ofchemotherapy is effective in decreasing mortality. This type of cancer can be controlled to some extent via a healthydiet rich in fruit and vegetables. Ginseng is a plant which has been consumed as a herbal medicine for thousandsof years in Asian countries. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that this plant not only reduces theincidence of colorectal cancer, but also improves patient’s status by enhancing the effects of chemotherapy drugs.However, further studies are needed to prove this relationship. We briefly review ginseng and its components suchas ginsenosides reported anticancer effects and their mechanisms of action. Understanding these relationshipsmay produce insights into chemical and pharmacological approaches for enhancing the chemo preventive effectsof ginsenosides and for developing novel anticancer agents.     

丹参-人参组分配伍对肺癌A549细胞侵袭迁移及ERK1/2磷酸化水平的影响

目的?研究丹参-人参组分配伍对肺癌A549细胞侵袭迁移以及ERK1/2磷酸化水平的影响。方法?采用细胞划痕实验和高内涵细胞成像系统分析丹参-人参组分配伍对肺癌A549细胞迁移的影响;应用实时细胞传感电阻仪Transwell实验动态检测丹参-人参组分配伍对肺癌A549细胞侵袭的影响;通过纳米级超微量蛋白质分析系统检测丹参-人参组分配伍对肺癌A549细胞ERK1/2磷酸化水平的影响。结果?丹参-人参组分配伍可显著增加划痕空白区域的距离（P<0.01）,且呈一定的时间依赖性;显著降低细胞迁移的面积（P<0.01）,且呈一定的剂量依赖性;对A549细胞侵袭有抑制作用（P<0.01）,且呈一定的时间依赖性;能够显著降低肺癌A549细胞ERK1/2磷酸化水平（P<0.01）。结论?丹参-人参组分配伍能显著降低肺癌A549细胞迁移侵袭的能力,其作用机制可能与降低肺癌A549细胞ERK1/2磷酸化水平有关。      

Inhibitory Effect of Ginseng on Breast Cancer Cell Line Growth Via Up-Regulation of Cyclin Dependent Kinase Inhibitor,p21 and p53

Objective: Breast cancer is global female health problem worldwide. Most of the currently used agents for breast cancer treatment have toxic side-effects. Ginseng root, an oriental medicine, has many health benefits and may exhibit direct anti-cancer properties. This study was performed to assess the effects of ginseng on breast cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods: Cytotoxicity of ginseng extract was measured by MTT assay after exposure of MDA-MB-231, MCF-10A and MCF-7 breast cancer cells to concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 and 2.5 mg/well. Expression levels of p21WAF, p16INK4A, Bcl-2, Bax and P53 genes were analyzed by quantitative real time PCR. Results: The treatment resulted in inhibition of cell proliferation in a dose-and time-dependent manner. p53, p21WAF1and p16INK4A expression levels were up-regulated in ginseng treated MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cancer cells compared to untreated controls and in MCF-10A cells. The expression levels of Bcl2 in the MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells were down-regulated. In contrast, that of Bax was significantly up-regulated. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that ginseng may inhibit breast cancer cell growth by activation of the apoptotic pathway.     

人参皂甙单体Rb1对大鼠脑缺血损伤保护作用的实验研究

目的 观察人参皂甙单体Rb1 对大鼠实验性脑缺血的保护作用。方法 健康成年雄性清洁级SD大鼠随机分为假手术组(Sham)、缺血对照组(Con)、干预组(Tre),干预组又分为Rb130 mg/kg、60 mg/kg及90 mg/kg三个不同剂量组。缺血对照组采用线栓法建立大脑中动脉闭塞模型,缺血2 h后拨出线栓再灌注; 各干预组用相应剂量Rb1 ip qd×7 d,末次给药后3 h内用同样方法建立大脑中动脉闭塞模型及再灌注; 假手术组不插入线栓,余操作相同。术后48 h取标本TTC染色测梗死体积、干湿重法脑组织含水量测定、Tunnel法测定调亡细胞数及NgR表达的免疫组化测定。结果 各干预组的梗死体积分别为30 mg/kg组(27.629±1.401)%,60 mg/kg组(24.164±1.710)%,90mg/kg组(21.955±2.556)%,缺血对照组为(29.846±1.153)%; 脑组织含水量为30 mg/kg组(80.079±0.726)%,60 mg/kg组(78.984±0.902)%,90 mg/kg组(77.855±0.258)%,假手术组与缺血对照组分别为(76.517±0.37)%、(81.799±1.065)%; 调亡细胞数分别为30 mg/kg组(89.000±10.296),60 mg/kg组(59.000±12.522),90 mg/kg组(36.667±19.054),假手术组与缺血对照组分别为(1.600±1.517)、(132.667±22.223); NgR表达阳性面积分别为30 mg/kg组(84.827±3.870),90 mg/kg组(66.040±5.541),60 mg/kg组(75.577±7.150),假手术组与缺血对照组分别为(48.355±9.720)、(91.485±5.822)。结论 人参皂甙单体Rb1对大鼠实验性脑缺血有保护作用,能减轻缺血再灌注损伤所致的脑水肿及梗塞面积,减少细胞调亡,并且该保护作用呈剂量依赖性。对NgR表达的干预提示Rb1可能在脑缺血死后神经可塑性中起促进作用。     

Antiplatelet and antithrombotic activities of Korean Red Ginseng

The antiplatelet and antithrombotic activities of Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) were examined on rat carotid artery thrombosis in vivo, and platelet aggregation in vitro and ex vivo. Administration of KRG to rats not only prevented carotid artery thrombosis in vivo in a dose-dependent manner, but also significantly inhibited ADP- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation ex vivo, while failed to prolong coagulation times such as activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and prothrombin time (PT), indicating the antithrombotic effect of KRG might be due to its antiplatelet aggregation rather than anticoagulation effect. In line with the above observations, KRG inhibited U46619-, arachidonic acid-, collagen- and thrombin-induced rabbit platelet aggregation in vitro in a concentration-dependent manner, with IC50 values of 620 +/- 12, 823 +/- 22, 722 + 21 and 650 +/- 14 microg/mL, respectively. Accordingly, KRG also inhibited various agonists-induced platelet serotonin secretions as it suppressed platelet aggregation. These results suggest that KRG has a potent antithrombotic effect in vivo, which may be due to antiplatelet rather than anticoagulation activity, and KRG intake may be beneficial to the individuals with high risks of thrombotic and cardiovascular diseases.     

The memory-enhancing effects of Ginseng and Ginkgo biloba in healthy volunteers

Rationale The use of herbal remedies, such as Ginkgo biloba and Ginseng, for improving cognitive performance has become increasingly popular during recent years. Several previous studies have indicated that administration of Ginkgo biloba and Ginseng may improve aspects of learning and memory in healthy volunteers. These results, however, are generally not supported by well-controlled clinical studies. Also, positive results have often been reported from studies investigating effects related to short-term, chronic administration of the extract. Nonetheless, both Ginkgo biloba and Ginseng are marketed as having the capacity to enhance cognitive functions, such as memory and learning, in the long term.Objective This study aimed at investigating whether the use of Ginkgo biloba and Ginseng for a long period of time has positive effects on performance on learning and memory.Methods Community-dwelling volunteers (n=3500) from The Betula prospective cohort study: memory, health, and aging were included in the study.Results It was found that the use of neither Ginkgo biloba (n=40) nor Ginseng (n=86) was associated with enhanced memory performance in any of the eight memory tests examined, relative to control groups either using or not using nutritional supplements.Conclusions These findings indicate that use of Ginkgo biloba or Ginseng does not provide any quantifiable beneficial effects on memory performance in the long-term in healthy adult volunteers.     

A ginseng saponin metabolite-induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells involves a mitochondria-mediated pathway and its downstream caspase-8 activation and Bid cleavage

20-O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-20(S)-protopanaxadiol (IH901), an intestinal bacterial metabolite of ginseng saponin formed from ginsenosides Rb1, Rb2, and Rc, is suggested to be a potential chemopreventive agent. Here, we show that IH901 induces apoptosis in human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells. IH901 led to an early activation of procaspase-3 (12 h posttreatment), and the activation of caspase-8 became evident only later (18 h posttreatment). Caspase activation was a necessary requirement for apoptosis because caspase inhibitors significantly inhibited cell death by IH901. Treatment of HepG2 cells with IH901 also induced the cleavage of cytosolic factors such as Bid and Bax and translocation of truncated Bid (tBid) to mitochondria. A time-dependent release of cytochrome c from mitochondria was observed, which was accompanied by activation of caspase-9. A broad-spectrum caspase inhibitor, N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone (zVAD-fmk), and a specific inhibitor for caspase-8, N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Ile-Glu-Thr-Asp-fluoromethylketone (zIETD-fmk), abrogated Bid processing and translocation, and caspase-3 activation. Cytochrome c release was inhibited by zVAD-fmk, however, the inhibition by zIETD-fmk was not complete. The activation of caspase-8 was inhibited not only by zIETD-fmk but also by zVAD-fmk. The results, together with the kinetic change of caspase activation, indicate that activation of caspase-8 occurred downstream of caspase-3 and -9. Our data suggest that the activation of caspase-8 after early caspase-3 activation might act as an amplification loop necessary for successful apoptosis. Primary hepatocytes isolated from normal Sprague-Dawley rats were not affected by IH901 (0-60 microM). The very low toxicity in normal hepatocytes and high activity in hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells suggest that IH901 is a promising experimental cancer chemopreventive agent.     

Neuroprotective actions of the ginseng extract G115 in two rodent models of Parkinson's disease

The herbal remedy, ginseng, has recently been demonstrated to possess neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties, which may be useful in preventing various forms of neuronal cell loss including the nigrostriatal degeneration seen in Parkinson's disease (PD). In these studies, we examine the potential neuroprotective actions of the ginseng extract, G115, in two rodent models of PD. Animals received oral administration of G115 prior to and/or following exposure to the parkinsonism-inducing neurotoxin, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), in mice, or its toxic metabolite, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP(+)), in rats. Such treatment significantly and dramatically blocked tyrosine hydroxylase-positive cell loss in the substantia nigra and reduced the appearance of locomotor dysfunction. Thus, oral administration of ginseng appears to provide protection against neurotoxicity in rodent models of PD. Further examination of the neuroprotective actions of ginseng and its various elements may provide a potential means of slowing the progress of PD.