Panax ginseng (Korea Red Ginseng) repairs diabetic sensorineural damage through promotion of the nerve growth factor pathway in diabetic zebrafish

Abstract

Background Diabetic sensorineural damage is a complication of the sensory neural system, resulting from long-term hyperglycemia. Red ginseng (RG) has shown efficacy for treatment of various diseases, including diabetes mellitus; however, there is little research about its benefit for treating sensorineural damage. Therefore, we aim to evaluate RG efficacy in alloxan-induced diabetic neuromast (AIDN) zebrafish. Methods In this study, we developed and validated an AIDN zebrafish model. To assess RG effectiveness, we observed morphological changes in live neuromast zebrafish. Also, zebrafish has been observed to have an ultrastructure of hair-cell cilia under scanning electron microscopy. Thus, we recorded these physiological traits to assess hair cell function. Finally, we confirmed that RG promoted neuromast recovery via nerve growth factor signaling pathway markers. Results First, we established an AIDN zebrafish model. Using this model, we showed via live neuromast imaging that RG fostered recovery of sensorineural damage. Damaged hair cell cilia were recovered in AIDN zebrafish. Furthermore, RG rescued damaged hair cell function through cell membrane ion balance. Conclusion Our data suggest that RG potentially facilitates recovery in AIDN zebrafish, and its mechanism seems to be promotion of the nerve growth factor pathway through increased expression of topomyosin receptor kinase A, transient receptor potential channel vanilloid subfamily type 1, and mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphorylation.

Recovery effect of lignans and fermented extracts from Forsythia koreana flowers on pancreatic islets damaged by alloxan in zebrafish (Danio rerio)

“…Repeated SiO 2 as well ODS c.c. for FKE and FKB 13 C-3), 146.7 (C-3′)] correlated respectively, indicating two methoxies existed in C-3 and C-3′. Therefore, 3 was identified as (-)-matairesinol, which was affirmed through comparing spectroscopic data in literature [30].…”

“…Alloxan (AL), which damages the pancreas by β-cells preventing from producing insulin, has been used as diabetogenic agent on in vivo experiments [11]. Previously, AL has reported to induce diabetes and diabetic complications on the ZF model by morphological observation [12,13]. Our preliminary study revealed Forsythia koreana flowers MeOH extract (FKFM) increased PI size damaged by AL in ZF.…”

“…The activity test and statistical analysis for obtained data were accomplished by the same methods as the previously used one [12,13].…”

Comparative Efficacy of East Asian Herbal Formulae Containing Astragali Radix–Cinnamomi Ramulus Herb-Pair against Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy and Mechanism Prediction: A Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis Integrated with Network Pharmacology

“…Flavonoids, alkaloids, phenolic compounds, terpenoids, saponins, and phytosterol-type constituents of herbal medicines used worldwide are being actively studied as new drug candidates for the treatment of various diabetic complications [ 17 ]. Among these, East Asian herbal medicine (EAHM) is an area of natural medicine in which therapeutic candidates for DPN have been the most actively investigated [ 10 , 12 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. EAHM is a generic term for natural materials used as medicines for the treatment of diseases in many countries in East Asia, including Korea, China, Taiwan, and Japan, and the study thereof [ 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 ].…”

The effects of ginseng on the metabolic syndrome: An updated review

“…Red ginseng provided during the process of steaming, and dried white ginseng provided by air‐drying (Karmazyn et al., 2011 ). Red ginseng has shown efficacy for the remedy of a wide range of disorders including hyperglycemia (Nam et al., 2019 ).…”