Ginsenoside-Rb1 Induces ARPE-19 Proliferation and Reduces VEGF Release. (4th January 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Betts, Brandi S.; Parvathaneni, Kalpana; Yendluri, Bharat B.; Grigsby, Jeffery; Tsin, Andrew T. C.
• Other Names: Barak A. Academic Editor.; Tomita H. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: ISRN ophthalmology. Volume 2011(2011)
• Publication Date: 2012-01-04
• Subjects: Eye -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; Eye Diseases; Ophthalmology; Eye -- Diseases; Ophthalmology; Electronic journals; Periodical; Periodicals; 617.7
• DOI: 10.5402/2011/184295
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-5688

Abstract

Abstract : Rb1, a ginsenoside from ginseng root extract, possesses antiangiogenic effects, but its role on ocular cells has not been studied. We hypothesize that Rb1 inhibits the production of the angiogenic cytokine VEGF from ARPE-19 cells, leading to a significant reduction in the proliferation of ocular vasculatures. Data from our experiments show that Rb1 induced an increase in the number of ARPE cells in culture, while VEGF release (pg/10, 000 viable cells) was significantly reduced. Treatment with VEGF and cotreatment with Rb1 and VEGF showed that this Rb1-induced cell proliferation was mediated by VEGF. Because VEGF from RPE plays a major role in promoting angiogenesis in ocular vasculatures. Our finding that Rb1 inhibits the release of VEGF from RPE cells suggests that Rb1 has a significant role in the eye to protect against angiogenic diseases such as age-related macular degeneration.