Ginsenoside Rb₃ Inhibits Angiotensin II‐Induced Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells Proliferation

Abstract

Abstract: This study was designed to examine the effect of ginsenoside Rb 3 on angiotensin (Ang) II‐induced proliferation of cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). VSMCs proliferation was evaluated by [ 3 H]Thymidine incorporation. The cell cycle was examined by flow cytometry. The expression of mRNA of proto‐oncogene c‐myc, c‐fos and c‐jun was observed by RT‐PCR. Ginsenoside Rb 3 had no effects on VSMCs proliferation in physiological condition. Ang II significantly increased the proliferation of VSMCs and the expression of mRNA of proto‐oncogene c‐myc, c‐fos and c‐jun. Ginsenoside Rb 3 markedly inhibited Ang II‐induced VSMCs proliferation. Concomitantly, ginsenoside Rb 3 decreased cell cycle progression from G 0 /G 1 to S phase. Furthermore, ginsenoside Rb 3 significantly attenuated the expression of mRNA of proto‐oncogene c‐myc, c‐fos and c‐jun. This study showed that ginsenoside Rb 3 inhibited Ang II‐induced VSMCs proliferation, at least in part by inhibiting Ang II‐induced G 0 /G 1 to S phase transition and attenuating the expression of mRNA of c‐fos, c‐jun and c‐myc. The findings may explain the beneficial effects of ginsenoside Rb 3 in cardiovascular diseases, and it will be useful to develop prevention and therapeutics of cardiovascular diseases.