Inhibitory effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on vascular growth and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in breast cancer rats

Abstract

Objective To explore the inhibitory effect of ginsenoside Rg3 on vascular growth and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 in breast cancer rats. Methods The rat model of breast cancer was replicated. The successful rats were divided into model group, low dose group and high dose group according to the random number table method, 20 rats in each group, and 20 healthy rats were taken as blank control group. Rats in the blank control group and model group were given 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution by gavage, while those in the low-dose group and the high-dose group were given 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution containing ginsenoside Rg3. The volume, mass, tumor inhibition rate, microvessel density (MVD), expression of VEGF and MMP-9 were measured, and the serum levels of VEGF and MMP-9 were measured.Statisticalanalysis of data using the statistical product and service solutions 19.0 software. Results The tumor volume of model group, low dose group and high dose group were (4.83±0.66), (3.48±0.51), (1.58±0.23) cm3, and the mass of tumors were (5.17±0.59), (4.00±0.42), (2.09±0.26) g, respectively. The inhibition rates were 0.00%, 22.43%, 53.81%, respectively. The volume and mass of tumors in the low dose group and the high dose group were significantly smaller than those in the model group ( t=7.238, 20.795, 7.225, 21.364, P<0.05), the volume and mass of tumors in the high dose group were significantly smaller than those in the low dose group (t=15.188, 17.292, P<0.05), and the inhibition rate in the high dose group was significantly higher than that in the low dose group (X2=12.324, P<0.05). The MVDs in tumors and breast tissues of rats in blank control group, model group, low dose group and high dose group were (7.53±1.53), (23.52±4.21), (17.32±3.52) and (12.20±2.19), respectively. The serum levels of VEGF were (218.42±46.37), (435.67±83.21), (350.13±45.26), (278.58±30.56) mg/L, and the serum levels of MMP-9 were (230.52±32.56), (460.22±60.36), (330.73±51.57), (255.72±41.73) mg/L. The expression levels of VEGF protein in tissues were (0.23±0.09), (0.58±0.14), (0.46±0.12), (0.25±0.09). The expression levels of MMP-9 protein in tissues were (0.14±0.11), (0.82±0.22), (0.63±0.19), (0.46±0.20), respectively. MVD, VEGF and MMP-9 in the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank control group (t= 15.964, 9.405, 12.364P<0.05). MVD, VEGF and MMP-9 in the low-dose group and the high-dose group were significantly lower than those in the model group (t=5.053, 10.668, 2.910, 8.867, 2.923, 5.415, P<0.05). MVD, VEGF and MM-9 in the high-dose group were significantly lower than those in the low-dose group (t=5.523, 6.261, 2.755P<0.05). Serum levels of VEGF and MMP-9 in model group were significantly higher than those in blank control group (t=10.199, 14.978, P<0.05). Serum levels of VEGF and MMP-9 in low-dose group and high-dose group were significantly lower than those in model group (t=4.039, 7.925, 7.294, 12.463, P<0.05). Serum levels of VEGF and MMP-9 in high-dose group were significantly lower than those in low-dose group (t=5.859, 5.057, P<0.05). Conclusion Ginsenoside Rg3 can inhibit the growth of blood vessels and the expression of VEGF and MMP-9 in breast cancer model rats. Key words: Ginsenoside Rg3; Breast cancer; Rat; Vascular growth; Vascular endothelial growth factor; Matrix metalloproteinase-9