Effects Of Panax Notoginseng Saponins Research Articles

Neuroprotective effect of panax notoginseng saponins and its main components

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the first cause of adult disability in industrial countries [1]. It is charicaterized by hemiplegia, hemianopsia, aphasia, mouth askew and sever sequelae. It is considered that an ischemic disease without any specific treatment method and few effective drugs such as tPA (human tissue-type plasminogen activator) and Edarovone with specific therapeutic window will cause a lot of disadvantages if being used inaccurate. Root of Panax notoginseng (PN) which is one of traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs), was first found in “Shennong’s Classic of Materia Medica” around 200 AD. Panax notogineng saponins(PNS) is a multi-components mixture containing ginseng and saponins as the most important bioactive components which are commonly used in clinical treatment. Also, ginseng and saponins form the main components of many herbal medicines in the market, e.g., Xueshuantong injection [2], Xuesaitong injection [3], Xuesaitong soft capsule [4] and so on. The main monomers of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) are Ginsenoside-Rb1, Gensenoside-Rg1, Gensenoside-Re, Gensenoside-Rd and Panax notoginseng saponins-R1 [5]. In this review, we found some important points as well as shortcomings that require special consideration. We therefore highlighted the advances in neuro-protection of PNS and its main monomers in the area of experimental research.

Panax notoginseng saponins promotes stroke recovery by influencing expression of Nogo-A, NgR and p75NGF, in vitro and in vivo.

The spontaneous recovery of function after injury in the adult central nervous system is limited due to the several proteins, such as Nogo-A that have repulsive or inhibitory effects on growing neuritis. The Chinese herbal medicine extraction Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) injection has been widely used and effective in repairing the function of impaired nerves, but the mechanism of this herbal medicine is still poorly understood. This project evaluated the effect of Panax notoginseng saponins on neurological functional recovery and on the expression of Nogo-A, NgR and p75 at 7, 14 and 28 d after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats and also oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) model on SH-SY5Y cells. We found that the expression of Nogo-A, NgR and p75 of rats receiving MCAO surgery increased on the 7th day, reached a peak on the 14th or 28th day and maintained high levels and Panax notoginseng saponins significantly decreased these expressions. This may be the mechanism of Panax notoginseng saponins that contributes to the recovery of nerve function, which plays an important role in brain protection after cerebral infarction.

A Response to the Letter of Iba on Liu et al., 2012. Effects of Panax notoginseng Saponins on the Activities of CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 in Rats In Vivo. Phytother Res 26: 1113–1118.

Phytotherapy ResearchVolume 28, Issue 1 p. 152-153 Reply to Letter to the Editor A Response to the Letter of Iba on Liu et al., 2012. Effects of Panax notoginseng Saponins on the Activities of CYP1A2, CYP2C9, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 in Rats In Vivo. Phytother Res 26: 1113–1118. Gaofeng Liu, Corresponding Author Gaofeng Liu Department of Pharmacy, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086 China Correspondence to: Dr Gaofeng Liu, Department of Pharmacy, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China. E-mail: liugaofengwty@126.comSearch for more papers by this author Gaofeng Liu, Corresponding Author Gaofeng Liu Department of Pharmacy, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086 China Correspondence to: Dr Gaofeng Liu, Department of Pharmacy, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin 150086, China. E-mail: liugaofengwty@126.comSearch for more papers by this author First published: 09 November 2013 https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.5078Citations: 1Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article.Citing Literature Volume28, Issue1January 2014Pages 152-153 RelatedInformation

The Effects of Panax Notoginseng Saponins (PNS) on the Activities of ‘Rat’ CYP2C9, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4

The Effects of Panax Notoginseng Saponins (PNS) on the Activities of ‘Rat’ CYP2C9, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4

Effect of Panax notoginseng saponins on expressions of MMP-13 and TIMP-1 in rats with hepatic fibrosis

To investigate the effect of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on the expressions of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 and its tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic fibrosis rats, and explore the possible mechanism of PNS's effect against hepatic fibrosis. The rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: the normal group, the model group, PNS (50, 100, 200 mg x kg(-1)) treatment groups and the Col (0.1 mg x kg(-1)) group. Apart from the normal group, all of the remaining groups were subcutaneously injected with CCl4 twice a week for 18 weeks, in order to establish the hepatic fibrosis rat model. Since the 9th weeks, each treatment group was orally administered with corresponding drugs, and the normal group and the model group were orally administered with equal volume of normal saline for 10 weeks. After the end of the experiment, liver and spleen indexes were calculated; the levels of serum ALT and AST were measured by chromatometry. Liver tissues were collected to detect the pathological alteration HE staining; protein expressions of MMP-13 and TIMP-1 were determined with immuninochemistry. Moreover, MMP-13 and TIMP-1 mRNA expressions was detected by RT-PCR technology. Compared with the model group, PNS (100, 200 mg x kg(-1)) significantly mitigated hepatic fibrosis in rats, reduced liver and spleen indexes, ALT and AST contents in serum, and TIMP-1 expression, and notably increased MMP-13 expression in rats with hepatic fibrosis. P. notoginseng saponins have certain protective effect in rats with hepatic fibrosis. Its mechanism is related to up-regulating MMP-3, inhibiting TIMP-1 expression and improving collagen degradation.

Panax notoginseng saponins induced up-regulation, phosphorylation and binding activity of MEK, ERK, AKT, PI-3K protein kinases and GATA transcription factors in hematopoietic cells

To investigate the effects of panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on expression, regulation and phosphorylation of multiple protein kinases in mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) intracellular signal pathway and GATA transcription factors in hematopoietic cells, so as to explore its mechanism of proliferation and differentiation activity on hematopoiesis. The human granulocytic HL-60, erythrocytic K562, megakaryocytic CHRF-288 and Meg-01 cell lines were treated by PNS, the positive control of K562, CHRF-288 cells treated by recombination human erythropoietin (Epo) and thrombopoietin (Tpo) respectively. The total cell lysate and nuclei protein were extracted after being treated by PNS, subsequently, analyzed by both Western blot and immune-precipitation. Meanwhile, the nuclei extract was performed for electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) by using (32)P radio labeled double-stranded GATA consensus oligonucleotide. The expression levels of kinase MEK-1, MEK-2, ERK-1, ERK-2, AKT-1, AKT-2 and PI-3K were increased by PNS treatment to different extent in four cell lines, depending on cellular heterogeneity and sensitivity to PNS, also phosphorylation of MEK-1, ERK-1 was differentially promoted by PNS respectively P<0.05, 0.01, 0.001). The expression levels of transcription factors GATA-1 and GATA-2 were increased, moreover, their DNA binding activities were raised dramatically in PNS treated K562, CHRF-288 and Meg-01 cells compared with the controls respectively (P<0.05, 0.01, 0.001). The positive control of K562, CHRF-288 cells treated by Epo or Tpo respectively also displayed up-regulation of protein kinases and GATA transcription factors respectively (P<0.05, 0.01, 0.001). The results indicated that intracellular signal pathway initiated by PNS was involved in MAPK pathway and transcription factors of GATA family in hematopoietic cells. PNS displayed the role to promote proliferation and differentiation, by means of increasing expression level and phosphorylation status of multiple protein kinases, also inducing synthesis of GATA transcription factors and upregulation its DNA binding activity.

Effects of Panax notoginseng saponins on proliferation and differentiation in NIH3T3 cells

To investigate the effects of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on the proliferation and differentiation in NIH3T3 cells. NIH3T3 cells were treated by various concentrations of PNS 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.20, and 0.40 g/L. The vitality and proliferation potential of cells were detected by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was measured by p-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) assay, and the mineralization formation ability was tested for the cellular differentiation toward osteoblast, as well as the expression level of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2(P-ERK1/2), extracellular signal-regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2) protein kinase was analyzed by Western blot with total cell lysate of NIH3T3 cells treated by PNS. Both MTT and pNPP assay showed that optical density (OD) values were increased in response to PNS treatment at a dose-dependent pattern. The mineralization formation ability was enhanced in PNS-treated NIH3T3 cells compared with untreated cells. Meanwhile, the expression level of P-ERK1/2 protein kinase was up-regulated in PNS-treated NIH3T3 cells, while, the expression level of ERK1/2 protein kinase revealed no obvious difference with or without PNS treated cells. PNS could pay a role to promote the proliferation and differentiation in NIH3T3 cells by means of up-regulation of P-ERK1/2 protein kinase.

Effect of Panax notoginseng saponins on expression of α-secretase mRNA in brains of senescence-accelerated SAMP8 mice

To study the effect of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on expression of alpha-aecretase mRNA in the brains of senescence-accelerated SAMP8 mice. SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into the control group, the PNS high-dosage group (200 mg x kg(-1)), the PNS low-dosage group (100 mg x kg(-1)) and the huperzine A group (0.3 mg x kg(-1)), with eight mice in each group. The control group and each administration group were orally administered with the same volume of double distilled water once for consecutively two months. The expression of alpha-secretase (ADAM 9, ADAM10, ADAM17) mRNA was assayed by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). The expression of ADAM9 mRNA in PNS high-dosage group and huperzine A group were significantly higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The expression of ADAM10 in the PNS high-dosage group, the PNS low-dosage group and the huperzine A group showed no significant difference from the control group. PNS can up-regulate expressions of ADAM9 mRNA and down-regulate expressions of ADAM10 mRNA in the brains of SAMP8 mice.

Effects of Panax Notoginseng Saponins on Homing of C-kit + Bone Mesenchymal Stem Cells to the Infarction Heart in Rats

To investigate the effects of panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on homing of C-kit+ bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to the infarction heart. The acute myocardial infraction (AMI) model was established in 140 Wistar rats, 105 model rats survived after operation, and the model rats were randomly divided into five groups, 21 rats in each group: Western medicine group mobilized by subcutaneous injection of human granuloctye colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) 50 microg x kg(-1) x d(-1); sham operation group and a model group treated by subcutaneous injection of normal saline 50 microg x kg(-1) x d(-1); Chinese medicine group mobilized by intraperitoneal injection of Xuesaitong (see text) (ingredients of PNS) 150 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1); integrative medicine group mobilized by subcutaneous injection of G-CSF 50 microg x kg(-1) x d(-1) and intraperitoneal injection of Xuesaitong 150 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1). Except for the sham-operated group, each group was divided into three sub-groups by three time points of 1 d, 7 d and 14 d. G-CSF was injected once a day for 7 d. Xuesaitong was injected once a day until the rats were killed. The flow cytometry was used for detection of C-kit+ cells in the peripheral blood in different time points, and immunohistochemical method was used for detection of the changes of C-kit+ cell and Ki-67+ cell numbers in the marginal zone of AMI. Twenty-four hours after the operation, C-kit+ cells had a slight increase in the model group compared with the sham operation group (P > 0.05). The peripheral blood C-kit+ cells in the integrative group increased significantly compared with the other groups on 7 d and 14 d (all P < 0.05). Meanwhile the expression of C-kit+ cells and Ki-67+ cells in the marginal zone of AMI in the integrative group increased significantly compared with the Chinese medicine group, the western medicine group and the model group on 1 d, 7 d and 14 d (all P < 0.05), and the cells in the integrative group decreased significantly on 14 d compared with that on 7 d (P < 0.05). PNS can cooperate with G-CSF to mobilize C-kit+ BMSCs from the marrow into the peripheral blood and promote them "homing" to the infarction heart.

Effects of Panax notoginseng saponins on proliferation and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells

Atherosclerosis is a common cardiovascular disease, and linked with the development of many cardiovascular complications, such as myocardial ischemia and stroke. Although pathogenesis of atherosclerosis is not completely elucidated, increasing evidence has demonstrated that abnormal proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays an important role in formation of atherosclerosis. Previous studies showed that saponins from Panax notoginseng (PNS) possess anti-atherosclerotic properties. However, the mechanism of PNS against atherosclerosis is not well understood. Therefore, the present study observed the effects of PNS on proliferation and apoptosis of VSMCs. Rat VSMCs were cultured, and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) was used to stimulate cell proliferation. The viability of VSMCs was assessed with the MTT method. VSMCs apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Expressions of apoptosis related protein p53, Bax, caspase-3 and Bcl-2 were determined using Western blot. Pretreatment of the cells with PNS (200, 400, 800 μg/mL) significantly inhibited proliferation of PDGF-stimulated VSMCs, and induced apoptosis of the proliferated VSMCs in a concentration-dependent way. Western blot analysis showed that PNS upregulated expressions of pro-apoptotic protein p53, Bax and caspase-3, downregulated expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and enlarged Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in the proliferated VSMCs induced by PDGF. This study demonstrates that PNS both inhibits VSMCs proliferation and induces VSMCs apoptosis through upregulating p53, Bax, caspase-3 expressions and downregulating Bcl-2 expression, which constitute the pharmacological basis of its anti-atherosclerotic action.

Effects of panax notoginseng saponin on restenosis of vein graft

Objective To observate the effects of panax notoginseng saponin （PNS） on restenosis of rat vein graft. Methods Jugular vein-to-artery bypass grafting was performed on 30 Sprague-Dawley rats. The rats were divided into three groups： sham gruup, model group and PNS group. Drugs were administered at the second day after the operation for 14 days. The grafts were harvested for histoehemieal staining to observe the hyperplasia of neointima, and proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） expression, and apoptosis of smooth muscle cells were detected by TUNEL. Results In sham group, model group and PNS group, the endometrial thickness was （4. 05± 0. 85 ）, （26. 30 ±1.15 ）, （ 10. 80 ± 0. 98 ） p.m; the intima/media was （ 0. 22 ± 0. 09 ）, （ 0. 76 ± 0. 27 ）, （ 0. 45±0. 23 ）, respectively. The neointimal thickness in PNS group was significantly less than in model group （ P 〈 0. 05 ）. The PCNA expression in model group （A value） was （23.6± 4. 3 ）, significantly higher than in PNS group （ 11.5±3.6 ） （ P 〈 0. 05 ）. The percentage of apoptotic cells in model group was （4. 3 ± 1.9 ） , significantly lower than in PNS group （20. 3 ± 3.5 ） （ P 〈 0. 05 ）. Conclusion PNS can inhibit the neointimal hyperplais of vein graft, which can prevente restenosis after bypass grafts. Key words: Vein graft ; Panax notoginseng saponin ; Vascular restenosis ; Neointima

Effects of Panax Notoginseng Saponins on Proliferation and Differentiation of Rat Hippocampal Neural Stem Cells

We aimed to investigate the effects of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on proliferation, differentiation and self-renewal of rat hippocampal neural stem cells (NSCs) in vitro. Rat hippocampal NSCs were isolated from post-natal day 1 (P1) rats and cultured in a serum-free medium. The neurospheres were identified by the expressions of nestin, class III β-tublin (Tuj-1) and glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP). The cells were given PNS and subjected to oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD) as an in vitro model of brain ischemia reperfusion. The proliferation of NSCs was determined by MTT colorimetry, nestin/BrdU immunofluorescent double-labeling and RT-PCR. Differentiation of NSCs was assessed by immunofluorescent double-labeling of nestin/BrdU, nestin/vimentin, and nestin/Tuj-1. The primary cells and the first two passages of cells formed certain amount of neurospheres, the cells derived from a single cell clone also formed neurospheres. Nestin, BrdU, GFAP and Tuj-1-positive cells appeared in those neurospheres. Compared to the control group, PNS significantly promoted NSC proliferation and the expression of nestin/BrdU, and also enhanced Tuj-1, vimentin, and nestin mRNA expressions in hippocampal NSCs. PNS significantly increased area density, optical density and numbers of nestin/BrdU, nestin/vimentin, and nestin/Tuj-1 positive cells following OGD. These results indicate that PNS can promote proliferation and differentiation of hippocampus NCSs in vitro after OGD, suggesting its potential benefits on neurogenesis and neuroregeneration in brain ischemic injury.

Effects of Panax notoginseng saponins on immune-neuroendocrinenetwork of SD rats in experimental navigation and intensive exercise

The present study aims to study the influences experimental navigation and intensive exercise on immune-neuroendocrine network of the male rats and the effects of PNS to this influence. Thirty 6-week Sprague-Dawley male rats (SD rats) were randomly located into three groups: Quiescent control (QC) group, training control (TC) group and Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) group. Rats from QC group were not given any stimuli, and samples were taken after 7-day intragastric administration of saline. Rats from TC group underwent 10-day run training of increasing load on treadmill and received 7-day intragastric administration of saline. PNS group were subjected to the same procedure of run training as group TC, and received intragastric administration of PNS at the dose of 0.2 g x kg(-1). Blood samples were immediately obtained at the end of the tests to determine the serum levels of corticosterone (Cort), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), beta-endorphin (beta-EP), Neuropeptide Y (NPY) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6) by RIA. Expressions of Pituitary ACTH, NPY were observed use the immunohistochemistry method and correlation analyses conducted. And the ultrastructural changes of the pituitaries and the adrenal cortex cells were examined by electron microscope meanwhile. The serum beta-EP and Cort levels in TC group were significantly increased compared to the QC group; whereas Expression levels of pituitary ACTH, NPY were markedly higher after experimental navigation and intensive exercise. In Group PNS, the plasma Cort, ACTH and NPY levels decreased significantly compared to Group TC. Meanwhile we found expression levels of pituitary ACTH, NPY also lower than group TC. There was no significant difference about the ultrastructure of anterior pituitary and adrenal cortex of QC and PNS group. However, a obvious change of ultrastructure occurred to TC group rats. These results suggest that immune-neuroendocrine network function of rats were confused by negative psychological stresses and intensive exercise. PNS therapy may exert regulation effects to the network.

Anti-diabetic effects of Panax notoginseng saponins and its major anti-hyperglycemic components

Ethnopharmacological relevance Panax notoginseng (Burk) F.H. Chen (Araliaceae) is a well-known and commonly used traditional Chinese herb for treatment of various diseases, such as hemostasis, edema and odynolysis. Aim of study Our aim was to investigate the mechanisms of anti-hyperglycemic and anti-obese effects of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) in KK-Ay mice, and explore the components in PNS for such effects. Materials and methods KK-Ay mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of PNS 200 mg/kg or vehicle for 30 days while ginsenoside Re 14 mg/kg, Rd 15 mg/kg, Rg1 40 mg/kg, Rb1 60 mg/kg and notoginsenoside R1 6 mg/kg for 12 days. Fasting blood glucose levels (FBGL), glucose tolerance (GT), serum insulin, leptin levels, body weight changes, food intake, adipose tissues and blood fat levels were measured at different time points. Results The PNS group had significantly lower FBGL, improved GT and smaller body weight incremental percentage after the 30-day treatment. Additionally, Rb1 exhibited significant reduction of FBGL on day 12, and Re also exhibited a decreasing trend after the 12-day treatment. Conclusions PNS possess anti-hyperglycemic and anti-obese activities by improving insulin- and leptin sensitivity, and Rb1 is responsible for the anti-hyperglycemic effect among the five saponins in KK-Ay mice.

Alleviation of ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats by Panax notoginseng saponins

To examine the effects of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS), the main active components of Panax notoginseng, on ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in rats. A total of 72 six-month-old female rats were randomly assigned to sham-operated group and five ovariectomized (OVX) groups: OVX with distilled water (5 ml/kg/day, p.o.), OVX with graded doses of PNS (75, 150, 300 mg/kg/day, p.o.), and OVX with nilestriol (1 mg/kg/week, p.o.). Animals were sacrificed after a 13-week treatment course. Compared with the OVX group, PNS administration prevented OVX-induced decrease in bone mineral density (BMD) of lumbar vertebrae and total femur, and significantly increased bone structural biomechanical properties. Improvements of BMD and biomechanical properties were accompanied by the beneficial changes of PNS on trabecular microarchitecture in the tibial metaphysis. PNS at the highest dose significantly prevent decrease in trabecular bone volume over bone total volume, trabecular number, trabecular thickness, connectivity density, and increase in trabecular separation and structure model index in OVX rats. The bone-modulating effects of PNS may be due to the increased bone formation and decreased bone resorption, as was evidenced by the elevated level of serum alkaline phosphatase and decreased level of urinary deoxypyridinoline. PNS treatment is able to enhance BMD, bone strength, and prevent the deterioration of trabecular microarchitecture without hyperplastic effect on uterus. Therefore, PNS might be a potential alternative medicine for the prevention and treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Effect of panax notoginseng saponins on growth and metastasis of malignant melanoma

Objective To investigate the effect of PNS on malignant melanoma and the expression of connexin32 in melanoma. Methods The spontaneous and experimental lung metastasis models of B16 melanoma were used to investigate the inhibitory effect of PNS on tumor growth and metastasis. The expression of connexin in melanoma were detected by immunohistoehemistry. Results (1) PNS can obviously inhibit the growth of B16 melanoma. The inhibition rate of the 480mg/kg PNS group was 50. 85%. (2) PNS can obviously inhibit the lung metastasis of B16 melanoma. The number of tumor colonies in lung of the 240 mg/kg PNS group and 480 mg/kg PNS group were lower than that in the negative control group. ( 3 ) The expression of connexin32 in melanoma was detected by immunohistochemistry:PNS could up-regulate the expression of connexin32 in membrane of melanoma. Conclusion PNS can inhibit malignant melanoma growth and metastasis and could also up-regulate the expression of connexin32 in membrane of melanoma. Key words: Panax notoginseng saponins; Malignant melanoma; Connexin

Panax notoginseng saponins protect rabbit bone marrow stromal cells from hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis

To investigate the effects of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNSs) on hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in rabbit bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). BMSCs were isolated from 2-month-old New Zealand rabbits and cultured with different doses of PNSs to determine the most effective dose of PNSs by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay. The most effective dose of PNSs was used in subsequent experiments. Apoptosis of BMSCs was induced by hydrogen peroxide (100 micromol/L). BMSCs in PNSs group were also pretreated with PNSs before hydrogen peroxide exposure. Reactive oxygen species (ROSs) levels were measured by using 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate. Apoptosis rate of BMSCs was observed by flow cytometry after staining with Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide. The protein expression of Bax in BMSCs was analyzed by Western blotting. Activity of caspase-3 was measured by spectrofluorometry. The most effective dose of PNSs was 0.1g/L. PNSs at dose of 0.1g/L markedly reversed the augmentation of ROS level, decreased the apoptosis rate of, and the Bax expression and activity of caspase-3 in BMSCs treated with hydrogen peroxide (P<0.01). PNSs can protect cultured rabbit BMSCs from hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis by decreasing oxidative stress, Bax expression and caspase-3 activity.

Effects of Panax notoginseng saponins on apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide in cultured rabbit bone marrow stromal cells via altering the oxidative stress level and down-regulating caspase-3

Objective To investigate the effects of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on hydrogen peroxide (H 2O 2)-induced apoptosis in cultured rabbit bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). Methods The effects of different concentrations of PNS on proliferation and early osteoblast differentiation of BMSCs were determined by the MTT assay and an alkaline phosphatase (ALP) assay. An optimal effective concentration of PNS was determined and used in subsequent experiments. The cultured BMSCs were divided into three groups: untreated control, H 2O 2 treated, and PNS pretreatment of H 2O 2 treated. The oxidative stress level was assessed by superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) assays. Flow cytometry was used to determine BMSC apoptosis by staining with annexinV-FITC/propidium iodide (PI). The activity of caspase-3 enzyme was measured by spectrofluorometry. Results PNS (0.1g/L) significantly increased both BMSC proliferation rate and ALP activity, while it decreased the indicators of oxidative stress, caspase-3 activity, and the apoptosis rate of BMSCs induced by H 2O 2.. Conclusion PNS, acting as a biological antioxidant, had a protective effect on H 2O 2-induced apoptosis in cultured rabbit BMSCs by decreasing oxidative stress and down-regulating caspase-3.

Panax notoginseng saponins attenuate acute lung injury induced by intestinal ischaemia/reperfusion in rats

Acute lung injury remains a challenge for both clinicians and scientists. The effects of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on acute lung injury induced by intestinal ischaemia/reperfusion (II/R) were studied in rats. Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups: (1) a sham-operated group that received laparotomy without II/R (n= 12); (2) a sham + PNS group, which was identical to group 1 except for PNS treatment (n= 12); (3) an II/R group that had 1 h of intestinal ischaemia followed by 3 h of reperfusion (n= 12); and (4) an II/R + PNS group that received 100 mg/kg of PNS, i.v., 15 min before reperfusion (n= 12). The effects of PNS administration on lung tissue histology, activities of oxidant and antioxidant enzymes, levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide and inducible nitric oxide synthase activity were examined. Levels of surfactant protein B, cell numbers in BAL fluid and plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were also examined. Compared with the II/R group, pulmonary parenchymal damage, activities of oxidant enzymes, levels of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide, inducible nitric oxide synthase activity in lung tissue, and plasma levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly reduced by PNS treatment. In addition, the decreases in antioxidant enzyme activities were prevented in the II/R + PNS group. Total leukocyte and neutrophil counts were significantly decreased by PNS treatment. The decline in surfactant protein B levels in BAL fluid was reduced in the II/R + PNS group compared with the II/R group. Administration of PNS before reperfusion injury alleviates acute lung injury induced by II/R, and this is attributable to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of PNS.

Relationship between anti-fibrotic effect of Panax notoginseng saponins and serum cytokines in rat hepatic fibrosis

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between anti-fibrotic effect of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) and serum cytokines in rat hepatic fibrosis. Hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4) was studied in animal models using SD rats. Liver index, serum alanine amino transferase (ALT), aspartate amino transferase (AST), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured, respectively. Liver index and the degree of liver fibrosis were also determined. Our results showed that the levels of ALT, AST and liver index in PNS-treated group were markedly lower than those in model group. PNS therapy also significantly attenuated the degree of hepatic fibrosis, collagen area and collagen area percent in liver tissue. Furthermore, the levels of serum TGF-β1, TNF-α and IL-6 were strikingly reduced in PNS-treated group compared with model group while the production of IL-10 was up-regulated. These findings demonstrate that PNS has certain therapeutic effects on hepatic fibrosis probably by immunoregulating the imbalance between pro-fibrotic and anti-fibrotic cytokines.