Ginsenoside Rg3 promotes beta-amyloid peptide degradation by enhancing gene expression of neprilysin.
J Pharm Pharmacol
; 61(3): 375-80, 2009 Mar.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-19222911
OBJECTIVES: It has been hypothesized that the accumulation of beta-amyloid peptide (Abeta) in the brain is a triggering event leading to the pathological cascade of Alzheimer's disease. The steady-state levels of Abeta are determined by the metabolic balance between anabolic and catabolic activity and the dysregulation of this activity leads to Alzheimer's disease. Recent evidence has shown that neprilysin (NEP) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the Abeta degradation in the brain. Ginseng, the root of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer, is widely used as a tonic for the prevention and treatment of age-related disorders in China. We aimed to investigate the basis of this use. METHODS: In this study, we investigated the effect of ginsenoside Rg3, one of the major active components of ginseng, on the metabolism of Abeta40 and Abeta42 in SK-N-SH cells transfected with Swedish mutant beta-amyloid precursor protein (SweAPP). RESULTS: The ELISA result showed that Rg3 significantly reduced the levels of Abeta40 and Abeta42, 19.65 +/- 6.05%, 23.61 +/- 6.74%, respectively (P < 0.01). The Western blot analysis showed that Rg3 reduced the levels of Abeta40 and Abeta42 through enhancing NEP gene expression, and real-time PCR assay showed that 50 microM Rg3 could significantly enhance NEP gene expression (2.9 fold at 48 h). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the Rg3 compound of ginseng may be useful for treating patients suffering with Alzheimer's disease.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Fragmentos de Péptidos
/
Neprilisina
/
Péptidos beta-Amiloides
/
Ginsenósidos
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
Límite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Pharm Pharmacol
Año:
2009
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
China
Pais de publicación:
Reino Unido