Apoptosis-inducing effect of ginsenoside Rg6 on human lymphocytoma JK cells

In this communication our aim was to study the JK cell growth inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing effects of ginsenoside Rg6 (GRg6) from steamed notoginseng on human lymphocytoma. The CCK-8 method was used to observe the anti-proliferative effect of GRg6 on human lymphocytoma JK cells. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze the influence of GRg6 on cell cycle. The Annexin-V FITC/PI double-staining method was used to detect the ratio of apoptotic cells. JC-1 staining was undertaken to observe the influence of GRg6 on intracellular mitochondrial membrane potential. Finally, western blots were conducted to detect the expression level of apoptosis-related Bax and the Bcl-2 proteins. The results suggested that GRg6 can inhibit the proliferation of human lymphocytoma JK cells. GRg6 blocks an S arrest in the cell cycle. With the increase in GRg6 concentration, the potential in the cell decreased in a dose dependent manner, and Bax protein expression gradually increased, whereas Bcl-2 protein expression gradually decreased. In conclusion, GRg6 can inhibit JK cell proliferation in human lymphocytoma and induce its apoptosis. The mechanism of action may be related to mitochondrial dysfunction and an increase of Bax expression and decrease of Bcl-2 expression caused by GRg6.