Combination of ginsenoside Rb1 and Rd protects the retina against bright light-induced degeneration

Abstract

Photoreceptor degeneration is a central pathology of various retinal degenerative diseases which currently lack effective therapies. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities are noted for Panax notoginsenoside saponins (PNS) and related saponin compound(s). However, the photoreceptor protective potentials of PNS or related saponin compound(s) remain unknown. The current study revealed that PNS protected against photoreceptor loss in bright light-exposed BALB/c mice. Combination of ginsenoside Rb1 and Rd, two major saponin compounds of PNS, recapitulated the retinal protection of PNS and attenuated retinal oxidative stress and inflammatory changes. Rb1 or Rd partially alleviated all-trans-Retinal-induced oxidative stress in ARPE19 cells. Rb1 or Rd suppressed lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced proinflammatory gene expression in ARPE19 and RAW264.7 cells. Rb1 or Rd also modulated the expression of proinflammatory microRNA, miR-155 and its direct target, anti-inflammatory SHIP1, in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. The retinal expression of miR-155 and SHIP1 was altered preceding extensive retinal damage, which was maintained at normal level by Rb1 and Rd combination. This work shows for the first time that altered expression of miR-155 and SHIP1 are involved in photoreceptor degeneration. Most importantly, novel retinal protective activities of combination of Rb1 and Rd justify further evaluation for the treatment of related retinal degenerative disorders.

The Effects of Environmental Factors on Ginsenoside Biosynthetic Enzyme Gene Expression and Saponin Abundance

“…The internal genetic factors and external environmental factors determine the quality of medicinal materials. Ginseng saponin, the main active ingredient of ginseng, has many pharmacological and immunological activities [31,32,33]. Ginseng modestly yet significantly improves fasting blood glucose in people with and without diabetes [34], and a study by Lin et al showed that ginseng also enhances cardiac contractility in other animal species [35].…”

Gene polymorphism and plasma levels of miR-155 in diabetic retinopathy

“…Previous studies have investigated the effect of miR-155 on retinal apoptosis and angiogenesis predominantly in cell culture and murine models that resemble retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) or age-related macular degeneration (AMD) (15, 17, 39, 40, 41). In this scenario, overexpression of miR-155 in the retina seemed to be detrimental (15, 17, 39). In contrast, the levels of endogenous miR-155 were decreased in retinal pigment epithelium/choroidal tissues after laser photocoagulation in mice.…”

Dual Activity of Ginsenoside Rb1 in Hypertrophic Cardiomyocytes and Activated Macrophages: Implications for the Therapeutic Intervention of Cardiac Hypertrophy

“… 13 Our previous study has also shown that Rb1 decreases the expression of miR-155 in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages. 14 However, it is unknown whether Rb1 is effective at counteracting the pro-hypertrophic effect of Ang II. Meanwhile, whether Rb1 suppresses cardiac hypertrophy-associated inflammation remains to be addressed.…”