Gisenoside Rg1 attenuates cadmium-induced neurotoxicity in vitro and in vivo by attenuating oxidative stress and inflammation

• Published in: Inflammation research Vol. 70; no. 10-12; pp. 1151 - 1164
• Main Authors: Ren, Teng-Teng, Yang, Jia-Ying, Wang, Jun, Fan, Sheng-Rui, Lan, Rongfeng, Qin, Xiao-Yan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.12.2021; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: AKT protein; Allergology; Animal behavior; Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - pharmacology; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Antioxidants; Apoptosis - drug effects; Astrocytes; Biocompatibility; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Brain; Brain - drug effects; Brain - immunology; Brain - pathology; Brain-derived neurotrophic factor; Cadmium; Cell Survival - drug effects; Cells, Cultured; Cognitive ability; Cytokines - genetics; Cytokines - immunology; Dermatology; Ginseng; Ginsenosides - pharmacology; Ginsenosides - therapeutic use; Glial fibrillary acidic protein; IL-1β; Immunology; Inflammation; Interleukin 6; Intestine; Intestine, Small - drug effects; Intestine, Small - pathology; Kidney - drug effects; Kidney - pathology; Kidneys; Lipid peroxidation; Lipids; Liver - drug effects; Liver - pathology; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Microglia; Microglia - drug effects; Microglia - pathology; Neurology; Neurons - drug effects; Neurons - pathology; Neuroprotective agents; Neuroprotective Agents - pharmacology; Neuroprotective Agents - therapeutic use; Neurotoxicity; Neurotoxicity Syndromes - drug therapy; Neurotoxicity Syndromes - immunology; Neurotoxicity Syndromes - pathology; Original Research Article; Oxidative stress; Oxidative Stress - drug effects; Oxidoreductases - immunology; Peroxidation; Pharmacology/Toxicology; Rheumatology; Small intestine; Testis - drug effects; Testis - pathology; Toxicity; TrkB receptors; Tumor necrosis factor-α; IBA1; TNF-α; Rg1; HES-1; Cd neurotoxicity; GFAP
• ISSN: 1023-3830; 1420-908X; 1420-908X
• DOI: 10.1007/s00011-021-01513-7

Objective Gisenoside Rg1 is a potent neuroprotectant in ginseng. The aim of this study was to investigate the elimination effect of Rg1 on cadmium (Cd)-induced neurotoxicity. Materials and methods A cumulative Cd exposure mouse model was established. Also, the toxicity of Cd and the protective effect of Rg1 were examined in vitro using cultured neurons and microglia. Results We found that Cd-intoxicated mice exhibited significant injury in the liver, kidney, small intestine, and testis, along with cognitive impairment. Antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, GSH-Px and CAT were reduced in the blood and brain, and correspondingly, the lipid peroxidation product MDA was elevated. In the brain, astrocytes and microglia were activated, characterized by an increase in inflammatory factors such as TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6, as well as their protein markers GFAP and IBA1. However, Rg1 eliminated Cd-induced toxicity and restored oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, correspondingly restoring the behavioral performance of the animals. Meanwhile, the BDNF-TrkB/Akt and Notch/HES-1 signaling axes were involved in the Rg1-mediated elimination of Cd-induced toxicity. Conclusion Rg1 is a promising agent for the elimination of Cd-induced toxicity.