Neuroprotective effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on oxygen-glucose deprivation reperfusion in PC12 cells

The present study was aimed to investigate the protective effects of ginsenoside Rg1 (GRg1), an important component of ginseng, in oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGDR) and to elucidate the related mechanisms. PC12 cells were used as the model of OGDR. GRg1 administration was started 12 h before OGD and lasted for 12 h. After OGD, the cells were incubated in drug-free and full culture medium under normoxic condition for 24 h. Cell viability was then measured using MTT assay. Cell morphology was studied under a microscope. The expressions of survivin, caspase-3 and Terminal dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) were measured by immunocytology. Results showed that pretreatment with GRg1 significantly increased the viability and survivin expression, and decreased the expressions of caspase-3 and TUNEL in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, it dramatically increased the number of cells and improved the cellular morphology. These results demonstrate the effect of GRg1 in preventing OGDR-induced PC12 cell apoptosis and partly reveal the mechanisms of the protective effect. It is suggested that GRg1 has potential beneficial effects in ischemic diseases.