Ginsenoside Rg1 Performs Anti-Aging Functions by Suppressing Mitochondrial Pathway-Mediated Apoptosis and Activating Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3)/Superoxide Dismutase 2 (SOD2) Pathway in Sca-1⁺ HSC/HPC Cells of an Aging Rat Model.

BACKGROUND Aging is characterized by progressive deterioration in metabolic and physiological process. The present research assessed the antagonistic effects and mechanisms of Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) on aging of HSCs/HPCs. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were treated and divided into the following groups: Control (n=10), Model (n=10, treated with D-galactose, as aging model), Rg1 Control (n=10), Rg1 treatment (n=10), and Rg1 prevention (n=10). An aging rat model was established by subcutaneous injection with D-gal. HSC/HPC cells were stained using SA-ß-Gal staining. HSC/HPC cells were examined using flow cytometry assay. CFU-mix assay, with a few modifications, was performed. Cleaved caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were examined using qRT-PCR. Sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) expression was determined using Western blot assay and qRT-PCR. RESULTS Rg1 (treatment and prevention group) significantly decreased SA-ß-Gal-positive staining in Sca-1⁺ HSC/HPC cells compared to that of the D-gal model (p<0.05). Rg1 significantly enhanced formation capacity of CFU-Mix compared to the D-gal model (p<0.05) in Sca-1⁺ HSC/HPC cells. Rg1 significantly reduced G0/G1 phase of Sca-1⁺ HSC/HPC cells compared to that of the D-gal model (p<0.05). Rg1 significantly decreased cleaved caspase 3 and Bax expression, and increased Bcl-2 expression compared to the D-gal model (p<0.05). Rg1 treatment remarkably upregulated expressions of SIRT3 and SOD2 compared to that of the D-gal model group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Rg1 conducted functions of anti-aging in Sca-1⁺ HSC/HPC cells in the D-gal-induced aging model by inhibiting mitochondrial pathway-mediated apoptosis and activating the SIRT3/SOD2 signaling pathway.