Exploration of the Function of Ginsenoside RD Attenuates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Lung Injury: A Study of Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation

Shock. 2022 Feb 1;57(2):212-220. doi: 10.1097/SHK.0000000000001824.

Abstract

Objective: Ginsenoside Rd (GSRd) displays a variety of pharmacological effects. However, the underlying role in acute lung injury (ALI) is not clear. In this study, the protective effect of GSRd on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI is investigated to explore the potential mechanisms.

Methods: GSRd-target-ALI-related gene set was constructed. And bioinformatics tools were used to discover the potential mechanism. We observed the survival of subjects for 72 h. In addition, male BALB/c mice were intraperitoneal injected with GSRd (25 and 50 mg/kg) after received one intratracheal instillation of LPS. Inflammatory changes, oxidative stress, and phosphorylation were assessed to study the biological effects.

Results: A total of 245 interaction genes were collected. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were enriched in immune-inflammatory system. Among them, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway was the highest-ranked pathway of inflammatory response. In vivo study, it was found that GSRd improved survival in endotoxemic mice and inhibited the major characteristic of ALI. And the p-PI3K and p-Akt expression was significantly decreased by GSRd treatment.

Conclusion: GSRd could protect mice against LPS-induced ALI effectively by inhibiting the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Lung Injury / chemically induced
  • Acute Lung Injury / drug therapy*
  • Acute Lung Injury / mortality
  • Animals
  • Ginsenosides / pharmacology
  • Ginsenosides / therapeutic use*
  • Lipopolysaccharides / administration & dosage
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Survival Rate

Substances

  • Ginsenosides
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • ginsenoside Rd