Network Pharmacology of Ginseng (Part III): Antitumor Potential of a Fixed Combination of Red Ginseng and Red Sage as Determined by Transcriptomics.

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to assess the effect of a fixed combination of Red Ginseng and Red Sage (RG-RS) on the gene expression of neuronal cells to evaluate the potential impacts on cellular functions and predict its relevance in the treatment of stress and aging-related diseases and disorders.

METHODS

Gene expression profiling was conducted by transcriptome-wide mRNA microarray analyses of murine HT22 hippocampal cell culture after treatment with RG-RS preparation. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) was performed with datasets of significantly upregulated or downregulated genes and the expected effects on the physiological and cellular function and the diseases were identified.

RESULTS

RG-RS deregulates 1028 genes associated with cancer and 139 with metastasis, suggesting a predicted decrease in tumorigenesis, the proliferation of tumor cells, tumor growth, metastasis, and an increase in apoptosis and autophagy by their effects on the various signaling and metabolic pathways, including the inhibition of Warburg's aerobic glycolysis, estrogen-mediated S-phase entry signaling, osteoarthritis signaling, and the super-pathway of cholesterol biosynthesis.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study provide evidence of the potential efficacy of the fixed combination of Red Ginseng ( C.A. Mey.) and Red Sage/Danshen ( Bunge) in cancer. Further clinical and experimental studies are required to assess the efficacy and safety of RG-RS in preventing the progression of cancer, osteoarthritis, and other aging-related diseases.