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  • Ginsenoside Rg1 protection against β-amyloid peptide-induced neuronal apoptosis via estrogen receptor α and glucocorticoid receptor-dependent anti-protein nitration pathway.

Ginsenoside Rg1 protection against β-amyloid peptide-induced neuronal apoptosis via estrogen receptor α and glucocorticoid receptor-dependent anti-protein nitration pathway.

Neuropharmacology (2012-04-27)
Jiaying Wu, Zongfu Pan, Zhiqiang Wang, Wenjie Zhu, Yuanyuan Shen, Rong Cui, Jiazhen Lin, Hao Yu, Qiongque Wang, Jianchang Qian, Yongping Yu, Danyan Zhu, Yijia Lou
ABSTRACT

Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) acts as a neuroprotective agent against various insults, however, the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated yet. Here, we report that Rg1 protects primary rat cerebrocortical neurons against β-amyloid peptide₂₅₋₃₅ (Aβ₂₅₋₃₅) injury via estrogen receptor α (ERα) and glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-dependent anti-protein nitration pathway. In primary rat cerebrocortical neuron cultures under basal conditions, Rg1 leads to nuclear translocation of ERα and GR, induces related responsive gene PR, pS₂ and MKP-1, SGK transcription. Meantime, Rg1 also increases the basal level of ERK1/2 phosphorylation. In the presence of toxic level of Aβ₂₅₋₃₅, Rg1 maintains ERK1/2 phosphorylation, attenuates iNOS expression, NO production, and inhibits NF-κB nuclear translocation, protein nitration and cell death. The antiapoptotic effects of Rg1 via both ERα and GR were abolished by small interfering RNAs (siRNA). ERK1/2 phosphorylation inhibitor U0126 can block downstream iNOS expression and NO generation. Interestingly, the anti-protein nitration effect of Rg1 is well matched with ERα and GR activation, although its anti-ROS production effect is in an ERα- and GR-independent manner. These results suggest that Rg1 ameliorates Aβ₂₅₋₃₅-induced neuronal apoptosis at least in part by two complementary ERα- and GR-dependent downstream pathways: (1) upregulation of ERK1/2 phosphorylation followed by inhibiting iNOS expression, NO generation and protein tyrosine nitration. (2) reduction NF-κB nuclear translocation. These data provide new understanding into the mechanisms of Rg1 anti-apoptotic functions after Aβ₂₅₋₃₅ exposure, suggesting that ERα and GR-dependent anti-protein tyrosine nitration pathway might take an important role in the neuroprotective effect of Rg1.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Ginsenoside Rg1, primary reference standard
Supelco
Ginsenoside Rg1, analytical standard