Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 20, 2026
Anti-Nuclear Antibody Screening Using HEp-2 Cells
Published on: June 23, 2014
Ginsenoside Rd reverses cisplatin resistance in non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells by downregulating the nuclear
Song Chian1, Yanna Zhao2, Ming Xu2
1The Criminal Science and Technology Department, Zhejiang Police College.
Abstract:
Clinical drug resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy is considered a major impediment in the successful treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) signaling pathway regulates the oxidative stress response, and in many cancer types, the high constitutive expression of NRF2 leads to proliferation and chemoresistance. Ginsenoside Rd (GS-Rd) is the main active component of ginsenosides. Here, GS-Rd was found to inhibit the proliferation of A549 lung cancer cells and induce G0/G1 phase arrest. We established cisplatin (DDP)-resistant A549 cell lines (A549/DDP). The half maximal inhibitory concentrations of DDP, gemcitabine, and adriamycin were much higher in A549/DDP cells than in A549 cells. The A549/DDP cell lines developed multidrug resistance, accompanied by activation of multidrug resistance protein 1 and multidrug resistance-associated protein 1, as well as NRF2 and its target genes. Treatment with GS-Rd inhibited the NRF2 pathway and significantly sensitized A549/DDP cells to therapeutic drugs. In addition, NRF2 knockdown attenuated the synergistic effects of GS-Rd in both A549 and A54/DDP cells. Taken together, these data show that NRF2 plays an important role in acquired drug resistance in NSCLC, and GS-Rd may ameliorate this chemoresistance by downregulating the NRF2 pathway. This study demonstrates that the NRF2 pathway may serve as a therapeutic target in NSCLC, and ginseng compounds may be effective for the treatment of this disease.
Insights
Ginsenoside Rd (GS-Rd) combats drug resistance in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by inhibiting the NRF2 pathway. This research highlights NRF2 as a therapeutic target and ginseng compounds as potential treatments for NSCLC chemoresistance.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Clinical drug resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy hinders non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment.
- The nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) pathway promotes cancer cell proliferation and chemoresistance.
- Ginsenoside Rd (GS-Rd), a key ginsenoside component, exhibits anti-cancer properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of the NRF2 pathway in acquired chemoresistance in NSCLC.
- To evaluate the efficacy of GS-Rd in overcoming drug resistance in NSCLC.
- To explore GS-Rd's mechanism of action in sensitizing cancer cells to chemotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Established cisplatin (DDP)-resistant A549 lung cancer cell lines (A549/DDP).
- Assessed the effect of GS-Rd on cell proliferation, cell cycle, and drug sensitivity.
- Investigated the modulation of the NRF2 pathway and its target genes by GS-Rd.
- Utilized NRF2 knockdown to confirm its role in GS-Rd's synergistic effects.
Main Results:
- GS-Rd inhibited A549 cell proliferation and induced G0/G1 phase arrest.
- A549/DDP cells exhibited multidrug resistance, with activated NRF2 and associated proteins.
- GS-Rd treatment downregulated the NRF2 pathway and sensitized A549/DDP cells to chemotherapy drugs.
- NRF2 knockdown diminished the synergistic effects of GS-Rd, confirming NRF2's critical role.
Conclusions:
- NRF2 is crucial in acquired drug resistance in NSCLC.
- GS-Rd effectively overcomes chemoresistance by downregulating the NRF2 pathway.
- The NRF2 pathway represents a promising therapeutic target for NSCLC, with ginseng compounds showing potential efficacy.
Related Concept Videos
02:16Transcription Factors
04:01Factors Affecting Solubility
01:27Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division
Several proteins function as internal regulators to ensure each cell cycle stage is completed faithfully before proceeding to the next. Regulator molecules may act directly or influence the activity or production of other...
03:08Electrolytes: van't Hoff Factor
The colligative properties of a solution depend only on the number, not on the identity, of solute species dissolved. The concentration terms in the equations for various colligative properties (freezing point depression, boiling point elevation, osmotic pressure) pertain to all solute species present in the solution. Nonelectrolytes dissolve physically without dissociation or any other accompanying process. Each molecule that dissolves yields one...
02:35Transcription Elongation Factors
The transcription elongation is regulated via pausing of RNA polymerase on several occasions during transcription. In bacteria, these halts are necessary because the transcription of DNA into mRNA is coupled to the translation of that mRNA...
01:19Factors Affecting Drug Distribution: Miscellaneous Factors
Age plays a significant role due to differences in body composition among different age groups. Infants, for instance, have a higher proportion of total body water and lower albumin levels, a protein that binds drugs in the bloodstream. This unique composition in infants enhances the...