[Anticarcinogenic effect of 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 on induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats].
OBJECTIVE
To explore the anticarcinogenic mechanism of 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 in induced liver tumor in SD rat.


METHODS
Thirty-five SD rats with induced hepatocellular carcinoma were divided into a control group and 3 dosage groups according to the dosing levels of 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3. The tumour volume was measured by MR imaging. The apoptotic rat and S-phase fraction and diploid of tumor cell were measured with flow cytometry. Protein expression of PCNA and TNF were evaluated with immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
There was significant difference in tumour volume between the high dosage group and the control group. The average apoptotic rates were 11.08+/-3.78, 13.57+/-3.34, 27.35+/-16.04 and the S-phase fractions were 23.98+/-9.44, 19.73+/-6.62, 14.09+/-3.48 in the low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups respectively. The apoptotic rate was significantly higher in the high-dosage group than in the medium-dosage group and low-dosage group. Before-after comparison showed that the anti-proliferative effects of 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 were significant in three treatment groups. The higher positive rats of protein expression with PCNA and TNF were significant difference in the high-dosage group compared to those in the low-dosage group. No significant difference between the medium-dosage group and the low-dosage group.


CONCLUSIONS
20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 can noticeably inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells, and efficaciously induce the apoptosis and facilitate necrosis of the tumor cells, and there appears to be a dose dependent effect.
Li
Xiao
X
Department of Radiology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Guan
Yong-song
YS
Zhou
Xiang-ping
XP
Sun
Long
L
Liu
Yuan
Y
He
Qing
Q
Fu
Li
L
Mao
Yong-qiu
YQ
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008114:Liver Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D048069:Tumor Necrosis Factors / Q000378:metabolism
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D036145:Ginsenosides; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D048069:Tumor Necrosis Factors; C097367:ginsenoside Rg3