title: Ginsenoside Rb1 inhibits proliferation and inflammatory responses in rat aortic smooth muscle cells.
abstract: Ginsenoside Rb1, a known phytoestrogen, is a major pharmacologically active component in ginseng. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rb1 on fetal bovine serum (FBS)-induced proliferation and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-evoked inflammatory responses in cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The data showed that Rb1 potently inhibited VSMC proliferation and cell growth induced by 5% FBS. These inhibitory effects were associated with G(1) cell cycle arrest and down-regulation of cell cycle proteins. Treatment with Rb1 reduced FBS-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation. Furthermore, TNF-α-evoked inflammatory responses were inhibited by Rb1. Reporter gene assay indicated that Rb1 could transactivate ERβ especially. Moreover, Rb1-mediated inhibition of VSMCs proliferation was greatly blocked by transfection of ERβ siRNA. These results suggest that Rb1 inhibits FBS-induced proliferation and TNF-α-evoked inflammatory responses in VSMCs. The findings presented here highlight the possible therapeutic use of Rb1 in cardiovascular disease.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Pharmacy Laboratory, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Wu Lu Mu Qi M Road, Shanghai 200040, China.
authors.forename: Qun-Yi
authors.initials: QY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Wen-Huan
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Zhong-Dong
authors.initials: ZD
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xiao-Jin
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.forename: Ming-Kang
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Zhong
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001011:Aorta / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: D036145:Ginsenosides; D010936:Plant Extracts; C442759:ginsenoside Rb1