Therapeutic potential of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg(3) against streptozotocin-induced diabetic renal damage in rats

Eur J Pharmacol. 2008 Sep 4;591(1-3):266-72. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2008.06.077. Epub 2008 Jun 27.

Abstract

The inhibitors of advanced glycation endproduct and oxidative stress, as well as N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists have received considerable interest because of their close association with renoprotective effects. The therapeutic potential of 20(S)-ginsenoside Rg(3) (20(S)-Rg(3)), isolated from Panax ginseng, against streptozotocin-induced diabetic renal damage, was investigated in this study. The diabetic rats received 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg body weight/day of 20(S)-Rg(3) orally via gavage for fifteen consecutive days. The physiological abnormalities such as increases in water intake and urine volume of diabetic rats were significantly decreased by the 20 mg/kg body weight of 20(S)-Rg(3) administration. The elevated serum glucose, glycosylated protein, and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance levels in diabetic rats were also significantly reduced by the 20(S)-Rg(3) administrations. Moreover, the renal dysfunction of diabetic rats was significantly ameliorated by the 20(S)-Rg(3) administrations in a dose-dependent manner. These beneficial effects on diabetic renal damage were related to the inhibitory effect of 20(S)-Rg(3) against NMDA receptor-mediated nitrosative stress.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose / drug effects
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / complications
  • Diabetic Nephropathies / drug therapy*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drinking
  • Ginsenosides / administration & dosage
  • Ginsenosides / isolation & purification
  • Ginsenosides / pharmacology*
  • Glycosylation
  • Male
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Panax / chemistry*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / drug effects
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / metabolism
  • Streptozocin
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / metabolism

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Ginsenosides
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances
  • ginsenoside Rg3
  • Streptozocin