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Ginsenoside Rb1 Inhibits Proliferation and Inflammatory Responses in Rat Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells

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Qun-Yi Li†, Li Chen§#, Wen-Huan Fu†, Zhong-Dong Li†, Bin Wang†, Xiao-Jin Shi†, and Ming-Kang Zhong*†

^† Clinical Pharmacy Laboratory, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, 12 Wu Lu Mu Qi M Road, Shanghai 200040, China

^§ Department of Preventive Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China

^# Department of Pharmacy, Xuhui District Central Hospital, Shanghai 200031, China

J. Agric. Food Chem., 2011, 59 (11), pp 6312–6318

DOI: 10.1021/jf200424k

Publication Date (Web): April 27, 2011

*Phone: + 86 21 5288 8380. Fax: + 86 21 6248 6927. E-mail: mkzhong@medmail.com.cn.

Abstract

Ginsenoside Rb1, a known phytoestrogen, is a major pharmacologically active component in ginseng. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rb1 on fetal bovine serum (FBS)-induced proliferation and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-evoked inflammatory responses in cultured rat aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). The data showed that Rb1 potently inhibited VSMC proliferation and cell growth induced by 5% FBS. These inhibitory effects were associated with G₁ cell cycle arrest and down-regulation of cell cycle proteins. Treatment with Rb1 reduced FBS-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation. Furthermore, TNF-α-evoked inflammatory responses were inhibited by Rb1. Reporter gene assay indicated that Rb1 could transactivate ERβ especially. Moreover, Rb1-mediated inhibition of VSMCs proliferation was greatly blocked by transfection of ERβ siRNA. These results suggest that Rb1 inhibits FBS-induced proliferation and TNF-α-evoked inflammatory responses in VSMCs. The findings presented here highlight the possible therapeutic use of Rb1 in cardiovascular disease.