title: [Experimental study of ginsenoside Rb1 on herpes simplex virus-1 infection for protecting nerves].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the action mechanism of ginsenoside Rb1 (GRb1) on protecting herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) infected nerves by studying its inhibitory effects on abnormal changes of apoptosis and nerve growth factor (NGF) mRNA expression in HSV-1 infected human glioma cells U251.
  
  
  METHODS
  The inhibitory effects of GRb1 on HSV-1 induced abnormal apoptosis of U251 cells were detected using MTT colorimetry and flow cytometry. The NGF mRNA expressions in different treatment groups were detected using semiquantitative RT-PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  (1) In 400 microg/mL GRb1 + HSV-1 group, MTT value was higher than HSV-1 group at 24, 36, and 48 h after infection (P < 0.05). (2) Cytopathic effects (CPE) were observed in HSV-1 group at 36 h after infection. In 400 microg/mL GRb1 + HSV-1 group merges increased at 36 h after infection, but most cells were in normal shapes. (3) Results of flow cytometry showed that the cell apoptosis rate was lower in 400 microg/mL GRb1 + HSV-1 group than in the HSV-1 group at24 and 36 h after infection (P < 0.05). (4) Results of RT-PCR showed that in 400 microg/mL GRb1 + HSV-1 group, NGF mRNA expressions decreased at 6-12 h after infection (P < 0.05), but it increased at 24, 36, and 48 h after infection, and was obviously higher than that in the HSV-1 group (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  GRb1 at an appropriate concentration could inhibit abnormal cell apoptosis and changes of NGF mRNA expressions in HSV-1 infection. Therefore, we inferred that GRb1 could protect nerves possibly through up-regulating NGF mRNA expressions and inhibiting apoptosis.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Medicine and Biotechnology of Qingdao, Medical College of Qingdao University, Shandong.
authors.forename: Yuan-Yuan
authors.initials: YY
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ling
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000378:metabolism*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human; D006801:Humans; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D036145:Ginsenosides; C442759:ginsenoside Rb1; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor