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

摘要

Ginsenoside Rbl, a known phytoestrogen, is a major pharmacologically active component in ginseng. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rbl 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 Rbl 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 Rbl reduced FBS-induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) phosphorylation. Furthermore, TNF-α-evoked inflammatory responses were inhibited by Rbl. Reporter gene assay indicated that Rbl could transactivate ERβ especially. Moreover, Rbl-mediated inhibition of VSMCs proliferation was greatly blocked by transfection of ERβ siRNA These results suggest that Rbl inhibits FBS-induced proliferation and TNF-α-evoked inflammatory responses in VSMCs. The findings presented here highlight the possible therapeutic use of Rbl in cardiovascular disease.