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Ginsenosides inhibit EGF-induced proliferation of renal proximal tubule cells via decrease of c-fos and c-jun gene
Ho Jae Han1, Byeong Cheol Yoon, Sang Hern Lee
1Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Hormone Research Center, Chonnam National University, Kwangju 500-757, Korea. hjhan@chonnam.ac.kr
Abstract:
Recent epidemiological studies have demonstrated that ginseng intake is associated with a reduced risk for environmentally related cancers. However, the effects of ginsenosides on the proliferation of renal proximal tubule cells have not yet elucidated. This study investigated the effect of total ginsenosides, protopanaxatriol (PT) saponin, and protopanaxadiol (PD) saponin fraction on epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced renal cell proliferation and, furthermore, c-fos and c-jun gene expression. In the present study, total ginsenosides (10 -6 g/ml) completely blocked EGF-induced DNA synthesis and cell growth. In contrast, the PT and PD fractions partially blocked it. In addition, the EGF-induced increase of c-fos and c-jun gene expression was completely blocked by total ginsenosides and partially by PT and PD saponins. In conclusion, ginsenosides, in part, inhibit EGF-induced cell proliferation via decrease of c-fos and c-jun gene expression in primary cultured rabbit renal proximal tubular cells (PTCs). Abbreviations. EGF:epidermal growth factor PD:protopanaxadiol PT:protopanaxatriol PTCs:primary cultured renal proximal tubule cells
Insights
Ginsenosides, compounds from ginseng, inhibit kidney cell growth stimulated by epidermal growth factor (EGF). This suggests a potential role for ginseng in preventing environmentally related cancers by modulating cell proliferation pathways.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Epidemiological studies link ginseng intake to reduced cancer risk.
- The specific effects of ginsenosides on renal proximal tubule cells (PTCs) remain unclear.
- Understanding these effects is crucial for exploring ginseng's chemopreventive potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of total ginsenosides, protopanaxatriol (PT) saponins, and protopanaxadiol (PD) saponins on epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced renal cell proliferation.
- To examine the influence of these compounds on c-fos and c-jun gene expression in response to EGF.
Main Methods:
- Primary cultured rabbit renal proximal tubule cells (PTCs) were utilized.
- Cells were treated with total ginsenosides, PT saponins, or PD saponins.
- Epidermal growth factor (EGF) was used to induce proliferation and gene expression.
Main Results:
- Total ginsenosides completely inhibited EGF-induced DNA synthesis and cell growth at 10^-6 g/ml.
- PT and PD saponin fractions partially inhibited EGF-induced proliferation.
- EGF-induced increases in c-fos and c-jun gene expression were completely blocked by total ginsenosides and partially by PT and PD saponins.
Conclusions:
- Ginsenosides inhibit EGF-induced proliferation of renal proximal tubule cells (PTCs).
- This inhibition occurs, in part, through the downregulation of c-fos and c-jun gene expression.
- Findings support a potential mechanism for ginseng's chemopreventive effects against environmentally related cancers.