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Ginsenoside-Rg5 Inhibits Retinoblastoma Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis through Suppressing BCL2 Expression
Yong Cui1, Yan Su1, Liya Deng1
1Department of TCM Ophthalmology, Jinan Second People's Hospital, Jinan, China.
Background/Aims:
Although the cure rate for retinoblastoma is high, surviving patients are at risk for developing secondary cancers and require life-long follow-up. It is imperative to discover and develop novel therapeutic agents with better efficiency and fewer adverse effects. Ginsenoside-Rg5 is an active derivate from ginseng and exerts anti-cancer activity in breast cancer cells. However, it is still unclear whether ginsenoside-Rg5 has similar anti-cancer functions in retinoblastoma.
Methods:
Retinoblastoma cells were treated with ginsenoside-Rg5, followed by MTT assay analysis of the cell viability, cell number assay and colony formation assay analyses of cell proliferation, and flow cytometric analysis of apoptosis. Gene mRNA levels and protein levels were determined by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively.
Results:
Ginsenoside-Rg5 inhibited retinoblastoma cell viability in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner via preventing cell proliferation and inducing cell apoptosis. BCL2 expression was downregulated by ginsenoside-Rg5 treatment via inactivating the AKT signaling pathway. BCL2 overexpression completely eliminated the inhibitory effect of ginsenoside-Rg5 on cancer cell viability.
Conclusion:
Ginsenoside-Rg5 inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in retinoblastoma cells by inactivating the AKT signaling pathway, thereby downregulating BCL2 expression.
Insights
Ginsenoside-Rg5 effectively inhibits retinoblastoma cell growth and induces apoptosis by targeting the AKT signaling pathway and downregulating BCL2 expression. This natural compound shows promise as a novel therapeutic agent for retinoblastoma.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Retinoblastoma survivors face risks of secondary cancers, necessitating improved therapies.
- Ginsenoside-Rg5, a ginseng derivative, shows anti-cancer effects in breast cancer.
- The anti-cancer potential of ginsenoside-Rg5 in retinoblastoma remains unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-cancer effects of ginsenoside-Rg5 on retinoblastoma cells.
- To elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms of ginsenoside-Rg5 action in retinoblastoma.
Main Methods:
- Retinoblastoma cells were treated with ginsenoside-Rg5.
- Cell viability, proliferation, and apoptosis were assessed using MTT assays, cell number counts, colony formation assays, and flow cytometry.
- Gene and protein expression levels were analyzed via quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot.
Main Results:
- Ginsenoside-Rg5 significantly inhibited retinoblastoma cell viability, proliferation, and induced apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner.
- Treatment with ginsenoside-Rg5 downregulated BCL2 expression by inactivating the AKT signaling pathway.
- Overexpression of BCL2 abolished the inhibitory effects of ginsenoside-Rg5 on cancer cell viability.
Conclusions:
- Ginsenoside-Rg5 exhibits anti-cancer properties against retinoblastoma cells.
- The mechanism involves inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis via the AKT/BCL2 pathway.
- Ginsenoside-Rg5 represents a potential therapeutic agent for retinoblastoma treatment.
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