Notoginsenoside R1-mediated neuroprotection involves estrogen receptor-dependent crosstalk between Akt and ERK1/2 pathways: a novel mechanism of Nrf2/ARE signaling activation.
Notoginsenoside R1 (NGR1), a novel phytoestrogen isolated from Panax notoginseng, has antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties. Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in neurodegenerative diseases. To mimic oxidative stress in neurons and explore the neuroprotection of NGR1, H₂O₂-induced neurotoxicity in NGF-induced differentiation of PC12 cells was used. In this study, NGR1 preconditioning provided neuroprotective effects via suppressing H₂O₂-induced the intracellular ROS accumulation, the increase in the product of lipid peroxidation (MDA), protein oxidation (protein carbonyl), and DNA fragmentation (8-OHdG), and mitochondrial membrane depolarization as well as caspase-3 activation. Moreover, NGR1 treatment alone potently increased the nuclear translocation of Nrf2, augmented ARE enhancer activity, and upregulated the expression and activity of phase II antioxidant enzymes including HO-1, NQO-1, and γ-GCSc. NGR1 could also increase the ERE activity and activate Akt and ERK1/2 pathways. NGR1-mediated activation of Nrf2/ARE signaling and neuroprotection were abolished by genetic silencing of Nrf2 using siRNA or the pharmacological blockade of estrogen receptors using ICI-182780, and partially inhibited by Akt siRNA or ERK siRNA transfection. In addition, the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 mediated by NGR1 was markedly inhibited in PC12 cells transfected with Akt siRNA. On the contrary, ERK1/2 siRNA transfection hardly had any effect on the phosphorylation of Akt mediated by NGR1. NGR1-mediated activation of Akt and ERK1/2 pathways was blocked by ICI-182780. In conclusion, NGR1 provided neuroprotection via inducing an estrogen receptor-dependent crosstalk between Akt and ERK1/2 pathways, subsequently activating Nrf2/ARE signaling and thereby up-regulating phase II antioxidant enzymes.
Key Laboratory of Bioactive Substances and Resources Utilization of Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ministry of Education, Institute of Medicinal Plant Development, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College , Beijing , P. R. China.
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D000818:Animals; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D036145:Ginsenosides / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects*; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D016716:PC12 Cells; D010766:Phosphorylation; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D015398:Signal Transduction
D036145:Ginsenosides; D051267:NF-E2-Related Factor 2; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D051057:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; C072936:notoginsenoside R1