Ginsenoside Rg1 alleviates cognitive impairment in vascular dementia by modulating Adcy1/Kdr-mediated cholinergic synapse and PI3K-AKT pathway.

BACKGROUND

Vascular dementia (VD), a prevalent neurodegenerative disorder that stems from chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, poses a substantial clinical challenge given the scarcity of efficacious treatment options. While ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1) has demonstrated neuroprotective and antioxidative effects in various models of neurodegenerative disease, the mechanisms underlying its therapeutic potential in VD pathogenesis have yet to be systematically elucidated.

PURPOSE

This study investigate the therapeutic potential of Rg1 in VD using a bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2-VO) rat model and simultaneously explored the molecular mechanisms underlying its pharmacological effects.

METHODS

To systematically assess the therapeutic efficacy of Rg1 on VD, we employed a well-established rat model of 2-VO. Behavioral outcomes were evaluated using standardized tests, histopathological changes were analyzed following histologic staining, and oxidative stress markers were quantified through biochemical analyses. Additionally, untargeted metabolomic profiling of serum and brain tissues was performed using UPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS, followed by targeted metabolomics to quantify essential amino acids and neurotransmitters. Additionally, integrated network pharmacology, transcriptomics, molecular docking, microscale thermophoresis (MST), qRT-PCR and western blotting were performed to facilitate a detailed investigation of the therapeutic potential of Rg1 and its molecular mechanisms in VD.

RESULTS

Rg1 significantly ameliorated cognitive deficits and neuronal damage in rats with VD. Metabolomics revealed its unique ability to restore amino acid homeostasis and rebalance key neurotransmitters, including acetylcholine and glutamate. Mechanistically, Rg1 activated Adcy1 and Kdr, in turn enhancing cholinergic synapse integrity, and modulating the PI3K-AKT pathway to attenuate oxidative stress. Notably, molecular docking simulations displayed robust binding interactions between Rg1 and target proteins (all binding energies <-7 kcal/mol), and microscale thermophoresis (MST), qRT-PCR and western blotting findings revealed high consistency with multi-omics predictions.

CONCLUSION

Thie findings of this reveals novel evidence that Rg1 alleviates VD by restoring amino acid homeostasis and neurotransmitter equilibrium, thereby activating Adcy1/Kdr-mediated cholinergic synapse and PI3K-AKT signaling pathway. These results position Rg1 as a promising phototherapeutic candidate for VD treatment.