[Experimental study of proliferation of Schwann cells cultured with ginsenoside Rb1].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of Ginsenoside Rb1 on the proliferation of Schwann cell cultured.


METHODS
The sciatic nerve from SD rats was cultured in vitro; 10 micrograms/ml, 20 micrograms/ml, 200 micrograms/ml and 1 mg/ml Ginsenoside Rb1 was applied on the fifth day of culture. The proliferation of Schwann cells of sciatic nerves was determined in different time by MTT assay and thymidine incorporation assay.


RESULTS
10 micrograms/ml of Ginsenoside Rb1 significantly induced Schwann cell proliferation better than DMEM cell culture medium, but higher concentrations of Ginsenoside Rb1 at 1 mg/ml significantly inhibited the proliferation of Schwann cells, whereas 200 micrograms/ml of Ginsenoside Rb1 had similar effects to DMEM culture medium.


CONCLUSIONS
Ginsenoside Rb1 at the optimal concentration is effective on inducing the proliferation of Schwann cells, but at higher concentration is cytotoxic for Schwann cells.
Wu
Hay-tong
HT
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, P. R. China.
Chen
Xiao-xiang
XX
Xiong
Liang-jian
LJ
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012583:Schwann Cells / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000166:cytology
D036145:Ginsenosides; C442759:ginsenoside Rb1