[Inhibitory effect of ginsenoside-Rg3 on lung metastasis of mouse melanoma transfected with ribonuclease inhibitor].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of ginsenoside-Rg3 on lung metastasis of ribonuclease inhibitor (RI) gene-transfected mouse B16 melanoma.


METHODS
C57BL/6 mice were iv injected with parental or RI-transfected B16 melanoma cells. Lung metastasis was assessed by the number of surface tumor nodules. Mice were divided into 6 groups. Group I, II and III of mice were given parental, mock-transfected and RI-transfected B16 melanoma cells, respectively while in group IV, V and VI, Rg3 (1.5 mg/kg, iv q.o.d. x 10) was given to mice bearing parental, mock-transfected and RI-transfected B16 melanoma, respectively. Micovessel density (MVD) of the lung metastatic tumor was assessed by immunohistochemical staining of factor VIII-R expression.


RESULTS
The number of tumor nodules was significantly decreased in mice injected with RI-transfected B16 melanoma (Gp III, compared to Gp I and II). Rg3 treatment per se could also decrease the number of lung tumor nodules but to a lesser extent (Gp IV and V compared to Gp III). However, Rg3 synergized with RI transfection resulting in most significant inhibition of lung metastasis (Gp VI). Mice in Gp I and II died within 26 days of the experiment, whereas all the mice in Gp VI were alive during the observation period of one and one half month. MVD was significantly decreased in the lung tumor nodules in mice injected with RI-transfected B16 melanoma. It was further decreased when additional Rg3 was given (Gp VI).


CONCLUSIONS
Transfection of ribonuclease inhibitor gene significantly reduces the metastatic potential of B16 melanoma. Ginsenoside-Rg3 has a synergistic effect.
Liu
Ji-wei
JW
Department of Oncology, First Affiliated Hospital Dalian, 116011, China.
Chen
Jun-xia
JX
Yu
Li-hua
LH
Tian
Yu-xiang
YX
Cui
Xiu-yun
XY
Yan
Qiu
Q
Fu
Li
L
D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000556:secondary*; D008297:Male; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D005894:Panax / Q000737:chemistry; D010926:Placental Hormones / Q000235:genetics*; D014162:Transfection
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D036145:Ginsenosides; D010926:Placental Hormones; C022052:placental ribonuclease inhibitor; C097367:ginsenoside Rg3