Studies of the effects and mechanisms of ginsenoside Re and Rk3 on myelosuppression induced by cyclophosphamide

摘要

Background Ginsenoside Re (Re) is one of the major components of Panax ginseng Meyer. Ginsenoside Rksub3/sub (Rksub3/sub) is a secondary metabolite of Re. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the effects and underlying mechanisms of Re and Rksub3/sub on cyclophosphamide-induced myelosuppression. Methods The mice myelosuppression model was established by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of cyclophosphamide. Peripheral blood cells, bone marrow nucleated cells, and colony yield of hematopoietic progenitor cells in?vitro were counted. The levels of erythropoietin, thrombopoietin, and granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor in plasma were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Bone marrow cell cycle was performed by flow cytometry. The expression of apoptotic protein bcl-2, bax, and caspase-3 was detected by Western blotting. Results Both Re and Rksub3/sub could improve peripheral blood cells, bone marrow nucleated cell counts, thymus index, and spleen index. Furthermore, they could enhance the yield of colonies cultured in?vitro and make the levels of granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, erythropoietin, and thrombopoietin normal, reduce the ratio of Gsub0/sub/Gsub1/sub phase cells, and increase the proliferation index. Finally, Re and Rksub3/sub could upregulate the expression of bcl-2, whereas they could downregulate the expression of bax and caspase-3. Conclusion Re and Rksub3/sub could improve the hematopoietic function of myelosuppressed mice. The effect of Rksub3/sub was superior to that of Re at any dose. Regulating the levels of cytokines, promoting cells enter the normal cell cycle, regulating the balance of bcl-2/bax, and inhibiting the expression of caspase-3 may be the effects of Re and Rksub3/sub on myelosuppression.