Inhibition of apoptosis by ginsenoside Rg1 in cultured cortical neurons.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the action of ginsenoside Rg1 on the prevention of apoptosis in cultured cortical neurons. METHODS Serum-deprivation was used as a model of apoptosis in cultured cortical neurons. Trypan blue exclusion test was set to examine cell viability. Lactate dehydrogenase release assay was used to investigate neuron injury. Two tests were performed for identification of apoptosis: fluorescence microscopy of cells stained with Hoechst 33 342 and Propidium Iodide; deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) electrophoresis on agarose gel.


RESULTS
Rg1 increased the neuron viability, lessened the release of LDH, reduced the morphological changes of nuclei, and decreased the cleavage of DNA.


CONCLUSIONS
Rg1 can inhibit apoptosis of cultured cortical neurons induced by serum withdrawal. This action of Rg1 is concentration-dependent. The finding may give a clue to elucidate the antiaging activity of Rg1.
Li
J
J
Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
Zhang
J
J
D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000166:cytology*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian; D036145:Ginsenosides; D009474:Neurons / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012503:Saponins / Q000494:pharmacology*
D036145:Ginsenosides; D012503:Saponins; C035054:ginsenoside Rg1