20(R)-ginsenoside Rh2, not 20(S), is a selective osteoclastgenesis inhibitor without any cytotoxicity.
Increased osteoclastic bone resorption plays a central role in the pathogenesis of many bone diseases, and osteoclast inhibitors are the most widely used treatments for these diseases. Ginsenosides, the main component of ginseng, have been known for their medicinal effects such as anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activities. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effects of ginsenosides (ginsenoside 20(R)-Rh2 and ginsenoside 20(S)-Rh2) on osteoclastgenesis using RAW264 cells in vitro. Only ginsenoside 20(R)-Rh2 showed selective osteoclastgenesis inhibitory activity without any cytotoxicity up to 100 microM. These results implied that the stereochemistry of the hydroxyl group at C-20 may play an important role in selective osteoclastgenesis inhibitory activity.
Department of Forest and Forest Products Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8581, Japan.
Jie
J
Liu
Jun
J
Shiono
Kuniyoshi
K
Shimizu
Hongshan
H
Yu
Chunzhi
C
Zhang
Fengxie
F
Jin
Ryuichiro
R
Kondo
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002460:Cell Line; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D013237:Stereoisomerism
D036145:Ginsenosides; C055305:ginsenoside Rh2