The effects and mechanism of ginsenoside Rg1 on myocardial remodeling in an animal model of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension

Abstract

BackgroundRecent studies haveshown that ginsenoside Rg1, extracted from the dry roots of Panax notoginseng as a traditional Asian medicine, plays an anti-fibrosis role in myocardial remodeling. However, the mechanism still remains unclear. In the present study, we investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rg1on the collagenic remodeling of myocardium in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH), and its potential mechanism.MethodsA rat model of CTEPH was established by injecting thrombi through the jugular vein wice in2 weeks. Four weeks later, four groups (Group A: normal rats + normal saline; Group B: normal rats + Rg1; Group C: CTEPH model + normal saline; Group D: CTEPH model + Rg1) were established. Normal saline and Rg1 were administrated by intraperitoneal injection. Ineach group, we measured the hemodynamic parameters, as well as the right ventricle to left ventricle (RV/LV) thickness ratio. Myocardial tissue sections of the RV were stained by hematoxylin-eosin +gentian violet and the morphological characteristics were observed by light microscopy. The matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) -2 and −9 were detected by the western blot.ResultsCompared with Group A and Group B, the right ventricular systolic pressure was significantly increased in Group C and significantly decreased in Group D. Compared with Group A and Group B, the RV/LV thickness ratio of the rats was significantly higher in Group C and Group D. There was significant fibrosis with collagen in Group C compared with Group A and Group B, and less significant changes in Group D were observed compared with those in Group C. The expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 exhibited a significant decrease in Group C and was also significantly decreased in Group D compared withGroup A and Group B. Also, a negative linear relationship was shown between collagen-I and the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9.ConclusionsOur animal study showed that ginsenoside Rg1 positively affects myocardial remodeling and pulmonary hemodynamics in CTEPH. Upregulation of the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 could explain the beneficial effects of ginsenoside Rg1 in CTEPH.

Ginsenoside Rg1 ameliorates oxidative stress and myocardial apoptosis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

“…An active ingredient in an extract from the dried roots of Panax notoginseng, known for its cardioprotective effects, is ginsenoside Rg1 (Lü et al, 2009). Previous studies that have evaluated the benefits of ginsenoside Rg1 for the cardiovascular system primarily focused on its anti-remodeling (Deng et al, 2010;Li et al, 2013;Zhang et al, 2013) and anti-ischemic effects (Xia et al, 2011;Yin et al, 2011). However, to the best of our knowledge previous studies have not evaluated whether ginsenoside Rg1 can prevent myocardial injury related to DM.…”

“…The putative cardioprotective role of ginsenoside Rg1 has been the focus of several studies (Deng et al, 2010;Xia et al, 2011;Yin et al, 2011;Li et al, 2013;Zhang et al, 2013), but not with regard to the cardiovascular damage incurred in the pathogenesis of diabetes. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of injected treatment of ginsenoside The CASP3 and Bcl-xL proteins are stained in brown.…”

“…A large number of previous studies have shown that ginseng has beneficial effects on the nervous, immune, and cardiovascular systems, largely through attenuation of apoptosis, dilation of vessels, and antiaging of cells (Lü et al, 2009). Ginsenosides specifically have shown potential in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders in rat models (Deng et al, 2010;Xia et al, 2011;Yin et al, 2011;Li et al, 2013;Zhang et al, 2013), including diabetic rats (Xia et al, 2011).…”

Ginsenoside Rg1 Protects Chronic Cyclosporin A Nephropathy From Tubular Cell Apoptosis by Inhibiting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Rats

“…Extensive data from in vitro and in vivo studies indicate that G-Rg1 has antifibrotic effects in the liver [4], lung [5], and cardiac [6] fibrosis. Furthermore, some recent studies have shown that G-Rg1 may be beneficial in improving renal function and tubulointerstitial fibrosis.…”

Different Concentrations of Notoginsenoside Rg1 Attenuate Hypoxic and Hypercapnia Pulmonary Hypertension by Reducing the Expression of ERK in Rat PASMCs

“…The effectiveness of PNS in attenuating chronic hypoxic pulmonary hypertension in rats has previously been reported [13]. It has been showed that ginsenoside R g1 positively affects myocardial remodeling and pulmonary hemodynamics [14]. Although PNS has effect in attenuating hypoxia hypercapnia-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction (HHPV) [15], the mechanism of how ginsenoside R g1 prevents HHPV and the form of PAH has never been reported.…”